Oct. 2026 Follow the Money Update: More PACs Join the Party

The latest campaign finance reports show 14 PACs making direct donations to candidates, and a second independent expenditure committee jumping into the campaign. Independent Expenditures Reports for the latest reporting period show the Santa Clara Police Association PAC making its first independent expenditures of the campaign on Oct. 19: $25,000 in mailers and digital ads supporting four candidates: David Kertes, Kathy Watanabe, Yvonne Inciarte and Kyle Madej. This is the first report the PAC has submitted since July. The expenditures were paid for in part by contributions from Gary Filizetti, president of Devcon Construction ($10,000), Laurence McColloch ($1,500), a past city council candidate. The remainder of the money came from member dues. The 49ers’ two Affordable Santa Clara PACs’ spending juggernaut grew to $1.7 million, with the lion’s share of the spending going to TV and internet ads. They have spent no money on ads opposing Kertes. The 49ers have poured $2.