Mayor Vinatieri Transfers Funds from 2024 Campaign, While Challengers Remain Financially Inactive

Mayor Joe Vinatieri has officially launched his re-election bid for 2026 by transferring $31,472.92 from his 2024 campaign account into his new one. The funds, reported in his semi-annual Form 460, are the only contributions his committee has received so far. He has not yet raised any new outside donations—an unusually late start for the longtime incumbent, who in prior cycles typically began collecting funds as early as January of the year before the election.

Some insiders note that Vinatieri has recently expressed uncertainty about whether he intends to run again, a factor that may have signaled hesitation to traditional donors.

Despite that, none of his declared or rumored opponents have filed campaign finance reports or raised any money to date. This lack of activity suggests that Vinatieri, even amid donor hesitation, remains the only financially prepared candidate in the mayoral race.

His campaign treasurer, Jeff Brauckmann, is also listed as the treasurer for Vicky Santana, who is expected to challenge Octavio Martinez for the District 2 seat. Santana, who previously served on the Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees, has not yet reported any fundraising activity for this campaign cycle. The shared treasurer between Santana and Vinatieri is unusual and may suggest behind-the-scenes alliances or coordination within certain political circles in Whittier.

For now, however, the mayor's race remains one-sided financially, with all serious funding still confined to Vinatieri’s camp.