As we reported on Tuesday, campaign finance reports were due on Monday for candidates running for office who have announced. We reported that Cassandra Hernandez had not filed her report. On Wednesday, Hernandez’ report was published on the city website. In an explanation for why her report was filed late, Hernandez wrote that the system “did not allow me to file both my semi-annual report” and her “Mayoral campaign” report separately. Hernandez added that she filed a combined report. Hernandez is the city representative for District 3 and is running for the open mayoral seat.
Brian Kennedy, who is also running for the open mayoral seat while holding the District 1 city council seat was able to file his report on time. It is unclear why Hernandez was unable to file her report while Kennedy was able to file his.
According to Hernandez’ corrected report, she raised $72,338.38 and spent $22,114.45, including $1,620.53 in expenses listed as “unitemized” expenses. Hernandez reported spending $20,492.92 through June 30, 2024.
Over 50%, or $38,960 of the campaign funds Hernandez reported came from seven households. The individuals and the contributions are:
- Raymond and Rosa Alvarado: $8,060
- Raul and Zenia Hernandez: $6,850, including an in-kind contribution of $500
- Raquel Hernandez: $6,300
- Guillermina Chavez: $5,000
- Christina Stover: $5,000
- Ryan and Celeste Kieffe: $4,250 (Celeste is Cassandra Hernandez’ sister)
- Pablo Duran: $4,000
In addition to the seven households above, Hernandez reported campaign contributions from former city representative Steve Ortega in the amount of $2,500. She also reported a campaign contribution from Bettina Olivares for $1,000. Olivares worked for Hernandez as her chief of staff for four years before running for city council in 2022 against Chris Canales. Canales won the District 8 seat with 70% of the vote in a runoff election on December 17, 2022.
The largest expense of the $22,114.45 in campaign expenses Hernandez reported, $6,920, or about 31% went to the salaries for Cabe Tejada and Kahlil Younis. Carlos Humberto Tejeda, who goes by Cabe, was paid $5,840 for consulting work, according to Hernandez’ report. Tejeda creates videos.
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Although the $1,080 payment to Kahlil Younis for contract labor work shows “Yonis” as the last name, we believe it is a typographical error and the name should be Kahlil Younis, an online and social media creator based in El Paso. The owner of the property listed in Hernandez’ report uses the Younis spelling for the last name. Her second largest expense of $1,439 was for access to the NGP-VAN voter data platform.
Leading Mayoral Candidate Financial Comparison
Although the official opening date to register to run for municipal elections is not until Saturday, seven candidates for the mayoral office have declared their candidacy, including Hernandez. Of the seven, currently the top three leading candidates are Cassandra Hernandez, Renard Johnson and Brian Kennedy.
Through June 30, of the top three candidates, Cassandra Hernandez and Renard Johnson have reported raising $370,258.88 in campaign contributions. Brian Kennedy, who announced last Thursday, () reported not raising any campaign funds for the mayoral race but has loaned his campaign $247,660. Cassandra Hernandez reported loaning her campaign $66,660. Johnson has not reported any loans to his campaign.
The top three mayoral candidates reported having $363,325.53 in campaign funds available to them as of July 1. Brian Kennedy leads the money count with $152,752.91, followed by Cassandra Hernandez with $105,888.08. Renard Johnson’s $104,684.54 rounds out the top three contenders.