Tim Ryan leads in H.B. council campaign funds

Huntington Beach Planning Commissioner Tim Ryan leads all City Council candidates in campaign fundraising, according to records released by the city last week.

Ryan, who was appointed to the commission by then-Mayor Joe Carchio in December 2010, raised $28,550 by the end of last year. In second place was Devin Dwyer, the only incumbent in the race, who declared $21,956.

Among the other candidates, Jim Katapodis finished the year with $300, Dan Kalmick with $250, Bruce Brandt with $150 and Blair Farley with no funds declared.

Ryan, a personal injury lawyer with a firm in Huntington Beach, has also led the field in campaign expenditures with $5,612.53.

Except for Ryan and Dwyer, all the candidates ran unsuccessfully for the council in 2010.

A self-proclaimed independent, Ryan named supporting business and defending open space as two of his key platforms as a candidate.

He has not held any fundraising events yet and solicited his contributions by personally calling friends, colleagues and neighbors, said his campaign manager, Melahat Rafiei.

“They believe in him,” she said. “They believe that, as a member of the council, he’ll be an asset to the city.”

The six candidates in the race represent a much smaller field, so far, than the last council election. By the end of January 2010, 13 candidates had entered the race for four open seats.

This year, three spots are open on the dais, as Dwyer seeks reelection and Keith Bohr and Mayor Don Hansen will be termed out.

City Clerk Joan Flynn has also filed an intention to run for reelection, while Alisa Cutchen has filed to run for treasurer.

michael.miller@latimes.com

Twitter: @MichaelMillerHB