In District 2, John Sanders is ignoring his federal indictment to try for a second term, but he will have to defeat Joel Williams, who lost to him in a tight runoff in 2001. Ron Wright is also running, and so far he is the only candidate to disclose in his filing documents the occupations of his contributors: a fire chief, retired general, nurse, and a Mrs. Baird's worker. Also fighting for District 2 are José Perez, Mark Sullivan, Erick Akins, Linn Waiters, Sandra Martinez, Donald Nicholas, and Jermaine Coleman, Sr.
Despite a recall effort by her constituents over the PGA project District 3's Toni Moorhouse is going to face the voters for a second term. Other contenders for the throne include Ricardo Martinez, Gerard Clancy, Rafael Zendejas, and Ron Segovia.
Filing in District 4 is David Fernandez, who opposed Enrique Martin (who is not running for re-election, thankfully) in 2001. He most recently gained attention for being arbitrarily fined $500 by City Council for what it determined was a "frivolous" complaint against Martin. Of course, after Martin was indicted on federal bribery charges, the Council, especially David Carpenter, who had upped the ante from $300, regretted that decision. Also running in for the District 4 seat are Ricardo Perez, who announced his candidacy on January 31, Philip Cortez, John Freeman, Noam Ramirez, John Longoria, John Freeman, Tony Arevalo, Nancy Englebert, and Jesse Alaniz.
Although three finalists are aching to take over the interim District 5 seat since David Garcia's fall - and hard landing - from grace, West Side activist and candidate Patty Radle is willing to take it on for the long haul. She will face Zoanne Ramon, council meeting regular Názirite Pérez, Javier Pena Martinez, and Gilbert Gallego.
Enrique Barrera, who has avoided controversy by just being quiet, is trying to retain his District 6 seat, but he'll have Brad Clear to deal with. The only Councilman spared the wrath of his constituents, District 7's Julián Castro faces just one opponent as of press time - M. Merla, who couldn't be reached to tell us his first name, while the field is crowded in District 8, where Bonnie Conner's aide Josh Copeland will take on Art Hall, who ran an admirable mayoral campaign in 2001, Federico Ramon Ng, Joe Groff, Linda Montgomery, Bert Cecconi, Jesse Arraiga, Nicole Martinez, and Dr. Joann Gomez.
Copeland is capitalizing on his insider status at City Hall. Former mayor Howard Peak is his treasurer, who must be busy collecting all Copeland's campaign contributions. More than $13,000 had rolled in by January 15, including big bucks from heavy-hitting developers Gene Dawson ($500), Lloyd Denton ($1,000), Gene Powell ($1,000), and smaller bucks from former city councilwoman Lynda Billa Burke, whose family owns the tract on the Southeast Side slated for a possible - and controversial - Target store.
No one has announced or picked up a packet for Carroll Schubert's District 9, but 10 is filling up, with Chip Haass is take on David Carpenter's golden boy and zoning commission appointee, John Clamp, who has raised more than $9,000 in campaign funds. Also in 10: perennial candidate and Realtor Al Rohde, David Plyar, Joseph Adams, and Billy Carlisle. •
Campaign news? Chisme? Email Lisa Sorg at the San Antonio Current [email protected]
