O’Connell leads Huntington council hopefuls in campaign funding

William “Billy” O’Connell, executive director of Colette’s Children’s Home, led all Huntington Beach City Council candidates in amassing campaign funding in the first half of the year, according to finance statements filed with the city clerk’s office.

O’Connell totaled $92,313 in contributions from Jan. 1 through June 30, though $85,000 came from loans to himself. The rest was from outside donations.

“I want to be independent of everybody,” he said, explaining that he does not want to be accused of working for a special-interest group.

Such loans aren’t new for O’Connell. When he ran for City Council in 2012, he borrowed $51,000 from a business he owns.

Candidate Alexander Polsky, a lawyer, reported $61,618 in campaign funding, with $50,000 coming from a loan to himself. He collected $11,618 from outside donations.

Former Planning Commissioner Barbara Delgleize led all candidates in outside contributions, receiving $24,938 in the reporting period. She also reported a $3,000 loan to herself.

Close behind was Planning Commissioner Mark Bixby, who reported $20,688 in outside donations. He reported a $1,518 loan to himself.

Mayor Pro Tem Joe Shaw and the other incumbent candidate, Councilwoman Connie Boardman, reported contributions of $11,754 and $9,918, respectively.

Planning Commission Chairman Erik Peterson reported $5,180 in outside contributions, and Commissioner Michael Posey tallied $4,260.

Delgleize reported spending the most — $16,121. She used $4,728 of that for a fundraising event at Seacliff Country Club.

Shaw was second in expenditures at $6,876. He spent a total of $2,167 for fundraisers at Fuzion and Don the Beachcomber restaurants.

Newcomers to the race — Planning Commissioner Lyn Semeta, tattoo artist Hector “HEK” Valdez and graphic designer Brendon Kenney — have yet to submit finance statements to the city clerk’s office.