Merced City Council candidates off to the fundraising races

Now that the candidacy filing period is over, prospects for Merced City Council are busy raising money for their campaigns.

Council candidate Mike Murphy said Monday he raised nearly $2,000 for his campaign during a kick-off party fundraiser held Friday at the East Merced home of Marvin Mackin, owner of the Taco Bell on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Read Murphy's press release here.

Mayoral candidate Stanley Thurston is holding a $20-per-ticket campaign dinner Friday, Aug. 26, at the Merced Ag Museum. The casual event includes a social hour, dinner and a no-host bar.

Councilman Noah Lor has been raising money for months, starting with his April 29 campaign kickoff. He has a series of campaign committee meetings scheduled in August and September, including one event targeting youth voters.