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Finance and Audit Commissioner Vamsi Velagapudi has raised almost $2,000 more than incumbent Drew Combs in the Menlo Park City Council District 2 race, according to campaign filings detailing donations made through Sept. 19.
While all of Combs’ contributions, which total $10,840, are from people based in the Peninsula and most from Menlo Park, Velagapudi raised funds from other parts of the state and country as well.
Velagapudi, who has raised a total of $12,670, said he is proud that most of his financial supporters live in Menlo Park, including many in District 2. He also said most donations to his campaign came from small donors. Velagapudi received 94 separate contributions, compared with 35 for Combs.
Velagapudi received donations from several local political figures. Former councilmembers Jen Wolosin and Maria Doerr gave $100 and $20, respectively, while current Councilmember Jeff Schmidt donated $100. Planning commissioners Andrew Ehrich, Katie Ferrick, Mikhail Silin and Ross Silverstein each contributed between $50 and $100.
Combs received a $200 donation from former Councilmember Kelly Fergusson and another $200 from San Mateo County Community College District Trustee John Pimentel. Bistro Vida owner Ali El Safy gave Combs $500.
After the filing period closed, Combs contributed $5,000 to his own campaign. During the 90 days before an election, campaigns must report contributions exceeding $1,000 within 24 hours. Velagapudi reported receiving $3,000 on Sept. 22 from two entities connected to AFSCME, a union representing government employees.
Both candidates made interest-free loans to their campaigns earlier this year. Combs loaned his campaign $2,000, while Velagapudi loaned his campaign $1,500.
Combs said fundraising has not been a focus of his campaign.
“I’m comfortable with the support we have,” Combs said. “Raising money hasn’t been a big priority. Any contribution to the campaign has been completely organic.”
Combs also mentioned that when he successfully unseated incumbent Kirsten Keith in 2018, Keith had raised $15,600 more than Combs — $27,800 compared with Combs’ $12,200.
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