This article takes a close look at the fundraising landscape shaping Marin County’s June 2, 2026 elections. We’re talking about the District 12 Assembly race to replace Damon Connolly, the District 5 supervisor contest, and a handful of local ballot measures stretching from San Rafael to Kentfield.
It highlights who’s raking in the most money and where those dollars are coming from. Folks in Mill Valley, Corte Madera, Novato, and beyond are watching closely as campaigns gear up for what’s looking like a packed primary.
Discover hand-picked hotels and vacation homes tailored for every traveler. Skip booking fees and secure your dream stay today with real-time availability!
Browse Accommodations Now
Campaign fundraising in Marin County’s District 12 Assembly race
As Marin voters move toward the June primary, the District 12 race to replace Assemblymember Damon Connolly has already kicked off a fierce fundraising battle. First-quarter filings show six candidates together have raised more than $1.5 million.
This really shows how competitive county politics have gotten from Sausalito and Tiburon to San Rafael and Larkspur. Among the leaders, Marin County Supervisor Eric Lucan sits at the top with just under $482,000 raised.
Corte Madera Councilmember Eli Beckman follows at $377,000. Tiburon Councilmember Holli Thier has about $329,000, Rohnert Park Councilmember Jackie Elward has $247,000, and Sebastopol’s Steve Schwartz has just over $100,000.
Eryn Cervantes, a San Quentin correctional counselor, didn’t file.
Leading candidates and totals
- Eric Lucan — >$482,000 raised
- Eli Beckman — >$377,000 raised
- Holli Thier — >$329,000 raised
- Jackie Elward — >$247,000 raised
- Steve Schwartz — >$100,000 raised
Looking closer at recent filings through April 18, the same names traded fractions of their totals. Lucan brought in about $170,000 from Jan. 1–April 18, Elward got $102,000, Beckman reported $97,000, Schwartz took in $36,000, and Thier added $26,000.
There’s plenty of self-funding in the mix. Thier put in $88,000 of her own money and got a $10,000 loan from a relative, Beckman loaned his campaign $50,000, and Lucan shifted $96,000 from his supervisorial reelection committee into the Assembly race.
This kind of self-financing pops up a lot in Marin, from Fairfax to San Anselmo.
District 5 supervisor and the broader local field
The contest to succeed Lucan as District 5 supervisor features five candidates. Curtis Aikens leads with just over $77,000 raised, including a $50,000 loan.
Magali Limeta has raised more than $63,000, while Andy Podshadley has brought in just over $15,000. Two candidates didn’t file, which kind of shows how uneven these local races can get from Ross Valley to Novato and over to Kentfield.
Marin’s broader races: state, county, and congressional fundraising
Fundraising in other local contests paints a lopsided picture. Assembly District 12 candidates are competing with Assemblymember Damon Connolly in the state Senate race, and Connolly has raised more than $1 million so far this year.
He pulled in $238,000 in the latest quarter alone, leaving several opponents in the dust—some didn’t even meet the reporting thresholds. On the Marin County board, Mary Sackett has reported more than $80,000 for her reelection bid.
Her opponent Mark Galperin reported under $2,000 and skipped filing for the period. In the congressional race that includes Marin, Rep. Jared Huffman has raised over $653,000 this year and holds more than $1 million in the bank.
His opponents, like Nicolette Hahn Niman and Rose Penelope Yee, filed much smaller totals. That’s pretty typical in suburban districts, where name recognition often drives early fundraising.
Ballot measures and school-funding efforts
Committees for local ballot measures posted some notable numbers as Marin voters weigh tax policy and school funding. Measure B (SMART sales-tax extension) reported more than $174,000 in the period, including a hefty $100,000 from the California Alliance for Jobs.
School-funding measures also saw solid fundraising:
- Yes on C (Kentfield) — $79,000
- Yes on E (Mill Valley) — $75,000
- Yes on G (Novato) — >$32,000 during the period, plus another $43,000 later
- Yes on H (Ross Valley) — $45,000
- Yes on I (Marin City field) — $16,000
- Yes on D (Larkspur-Corte Madera) — $12,000
Political scientist David McCuan points out that Lucan has emerged as the presumptive favorite in District 12. There’s a tight scramble for second place among the rest, and that second spot could be crucial for anyone hoping to make it to November and really shake things up from Sausalito to Novato.
What this means for Marin voters this June
For residents from Fairfax to Corte Madera, the June primary’s going to test more than just who can raise the most cash. It’s about organizational depth, where that money’s coming from, and whether campaigns can actually turn support into real momentum through November.
Right now, the money race in District 12 and the District 5 contest is shaping strategy everywhere—from the benches of the San Anselmo town council race to the planning debates heating up in Larkspur and Ross.
Marin voters shouldn’t just watch the totals. The sources behind the finances, the local endorsements in play, and how these campaigns aim to turn fundraising into votes on Election Day all matter.
With Marin’s mix of small towns, open-space priorities, and its commuter-driven economy, these races might end up signaling how the county will balance growth, services, and community character as the summer campaign season unfolds.
Here is the source article for this story: Race for Marin’s seat in Assembly draws $1.5M in donations
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now
Cities and Towns in Marin County
Things to Do in Marin County
Places to Stay in Marin County
