This blog post digs into Marin County’s wild fundraising race to replace Assemblymember Damon Connolly in District 12. Six declared candidates from Marin and Sonoma counties are chasing over $1 million in contributions ahead of the June 2 primary.
From Novato to Corte Madera, Tiburon to San Quentin, voters are watching closely. Who’s got the cash to campaign through spring and beyond?
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District 12 Fundraising Frenzy: Marin Candidates Lead the Pack
As the June 2 primary creeps closer, candidates across the North Bay are showing just how deep their war chests go. Marin contenders seem to be leading the pack, at least when it comes to fundraising totals.
The money trail basically maps out who’s got the network, the donor reach, and the campaign hustle to stay competitive from Novato’s city limits to Tiburon’s shoreline. Lucan is out front in fundraising, but a few rivals closed the gap in late 2024 and into 2025.
The mix of local checks and outside PAC support shows how Marin’s neighborhoods—from Corte Madera to San Rafael—are weighing in on issues that could shift the North Bay’s political scene.
Marin candidates and their fundraising totals
- Eric Lucan, Novato Supervisor running for Assembly District 12: $312,525 raised since Jan. 1, 2025; moved $96,000 from his supervisorial reelection fund; biggest single donation is $10,200 from the Northern California Carpenters PAC.
- Eli Beckman, Corte Madera Councilmember: $280,100 raised, including $118,075 in the second half of the year; put in $50,000 of his own money and got several maxed-out donations.
- Holli Thier, Tiburon Councilmember: $303,795 in 2025, with $120,617 in the last six months; self-funded $88,000 and landed multiple $5,900 contributions at the individual limit.
- Jackie Elward, Rohnert Park Councilmember (Sonoma contender): $144,504 for the year, including $122,701 in the last six months; top gifts include $10,900 from the Operating Engineers 3 Statewide PAC and $10,000 from a California Faculty Association PAC.
- Steve Schwartz, Sebastopol resident: $64,126 in the year; chipped in $9,000 himself and accepted sizable checks from local business owners.
- Eryn Cervantes, San Quentin prison guard: didn’t file a campaign finance report, likely because contributions were too small to require reporting.
Lucan’s Assembly run has already kicked off a scramble for his supervisor seat. Four candidates want the job: Curtis Aikens, Magali Limeta, Chris Carpiniello, and Andy Podshadley.
This field mixes local roots and outside fundraising, but right now Aikens is ahead with $61,195 raised so far.
Open Seat Dynamics: Marin Supervisors Watch the District 12 Battle
In Marin’s smaller-scale races, the District 1 Board of Supervisors contest is drawing some eyes too. Mary Sackett reported more than $70,000 as she chases the seat.
Damon Connolly’s state Senate run is pulling in serious cash, with totals over $818,000. It’s clear the North Bay’s political fundraising engine isn’t slowing down.
Assembly campaigns are heating up in towns like San Rafael and Larkspur, and even federal and state delegation members are paying attention to the money moving around the North Bay. Congressman Jared Huffman wrapped up 2025 with more than $519,000 raised and finished the year with over $1 million in cash on hand.
That’s a number that’s definitely boosting local candidates across Marin and Sonoma.
What to watch in Marin’s primary season
- Money trail dynamics across Novato, San Rafael, and Mill Valley will shape endorsements and voter outreach. It’s not just about how much is raised—it’s about where it’s coming from, and who’s spending it.
- Candidate self-funding levels stand out this year. Thier invested $88,000 of her own money, while Beckman put in $50,000. That’s a bold move, betting personal resources on a North Bay Legislative seat—maybe risky, maybe smart, depending on your perspective.
- Local PAC support, especially from the Northern California Carpenters and California Faculty Association, could steer the focus toward labor and education issues in District 12. Their backing tends to carry weight in shaping priorities.
For Marin County residents—from Sausalito to San Anselmo, Tiburon to Novato—these numbers aren’t just statistics. They offer a glimpse into which community voices might get amplified in Sacramento.
The North Bay’s political landscape is shifting. Marin’s towns and cities have a big say in who’ll carry Assembly District 12 into the next term, and who’ll try to fill Lucan’s supervisor seat in the meantime.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin Assembly race draws big money for June election
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