Kors Trounces Pettit in Campaign Donations

PALM SPRINGS — In the District 3 contest between Incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Geoff Kors and Alfie Pettit, an entertainer, Kors is winning hands down when measured in campaign donations.

A third person for the seat, Michael Joseph Dilger, has announced his intentions for the vacancy, but has not much other than that.

Between Jan. 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019, Kors reported a total of $84,139.89 in campaign donations,  according to his Campaign Disclosure Statement.

He reported in-kind campaign donations of $400 from Aftab Dada for food and beverages for an
event, $528.77 from F10 Catering and Events for catering an event, and $2,000 from Lynn Hammond Catering for his campaign kickoff event.

Kors reported expenses of $15,784.11 for the period.

James Williamson, Kors’ spouse, serves as his campaign treasurer.

Pettit, for the same period, reported $17,368.75 in total campaign donations. Of that total, $16,453.88 included a loan Pettit made to himself. He also contributed $790.87 to his own campaign. Pettit had one unitemized monetary contribution of $124 from an unidentified source, according to his Campaign Disclosure Statement.

Pettit listed $7,678.73 in expenses for the period. Some of his expenses included $2000 for consulting services, $160.35 at Lulu California Bistro for a campaign strategy session, $100.04 at The Nest for a campaign strategy session, $174,79 at Shakey’s Pizza for a campaign kickoff meeting, $600 at Updog Media for an RV wrap, $1,500 to CV weekly for a cover story, among other various expenses..

Michael R. McCulloch, a Palm Springs CPA and former Palm Springs City Councilmember, is Pettit’s campaign treasurer.

Palm Springs City Clerk Anthony Mejia said it is common for a start-up campaign to loan itself money to get things rolling.

“It’s not that unusual because sometimes a candidate chooses to self-fund their campaign,” Mejia said.

While it might seem late to begin seeking campaign donations, Mejia says it is important to keep in mind that the official nomination period for this upcoming election only began July 8 and continues through Friday, Aug. 9.

All candidates have plenty of time to bolster campaign donations and secure endorsements before the Nov. 5 election.

Some of the people making campaign donations to Kors are:

• Indian Wells City Councilmember Dana Reed, $100
• Shelley M. Kaplan Trust, $500
• Joy Silver, $150
• James G. Williamson, $1,000
• Les Young, $100
• Committee to Elect J. R. Roberts, $500
• Dr. Raul Ruiz, $1,000
• Thomi Clinton, $100
• Lisa Middleton, $500
• Ginny Foat, $100
• Harold Matzner, $1,000 on March 11
• Harold Matzner, $5,000 on June 28
• Equality California Candidate PAC, $1,000