Dan Ball knows how to keep constituents on the edge of their seats. With less than eight hours before the deadline expires, Ball, flanked by his daughter and his fiancée, on Friday filed nomination papers to be a candidate for the 36th Congressional District.
Ball has been keeping such a low profile lately that some constituents started to question if he was having second thoughts and would pull out of the race.
He has been more visible of late doing commercials for Mo’tus Flotation and Wellness Center and Venus De Fido than on the campaign trail.
“Nope, no second thoughts,” Ball told Uken Report. “Just busy working to provide for my family. I’m not a millionaire like some candidates.”
A Nomination Signature Party was held Wednesday evening in Rancho Mirage for Ball to gather the signatures needed before filling Friday.
Ball’s filling brings to six the number of candidates that have filed nomination papers with the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. The six include the Democratic incumbent, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz, and five Republican challengers.
Ball, a real estate agent and former television reporter, has been uncharacteristically quiet since initial fundraising results were announced in January.
Kimberlin Brown Pelzer, a Republican candidate for Ruiz’s seat outraised Ball by thousands. She received $175,832 in contributions between Oct. 6, 2017, and Dec. 31, 2017, according to the Federal Election Commission. As of Dec. 31, her cash on hand totaled $146,633.
She tapped people in Hollywood, including CBS Television, a soap opera producer, wineries and more.
Ball raised $15,400 between Oct. 2, 2017 and Dec. 31, 2017.
Ball garnered the majority of his contributions from the desert, including the communities of Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta and Palm Desert.
But don’t forget: Ball has an Ace that others in the race do not. Former U.S. Congresswoman Mary Bono has promised to help Ball with fundraising and she is masterful when it comes to the art of raising campaign cash. Don’t be surprised if she is working behind the scenes on his behalf as you read this.
