With the release of Mayoral candidate Bob McDavid’s first campaign finance report today, we now have an indicator of how the race between him and Fourth Ward Councilman Jerry Wade is shaping up.
Only those two candidates have reported any contributions or expenditures with the Missouri Ethics Commission. I’ll be updating this post after I make my way to the County Clerk’s office.
McDavid jumped into the race Jan. 16, four months after Wade announced his candidacy. Wade released his first campaign finance report at the end of January, so he’s got quite a leg up. In January, Wade reported raising $9,839 and spending $3,054. With 101 donors in that report, his average donation was about $97.
Since then, Wade has raised another $11,542 from 136 donors, including about $1,000 in-kind contributions. He spent another $4,671. His average contribution this period comes out to about $85.
So Wade’s sitting on $12,559 right now. He’s raised $21,381 from 237 people with an average donation of $90.
McDavid has managed to make a huge jump in the last month. His first report showed he raised $6,080 (though that does not include the $5,000 he reportedly raised Tuesday night at an auction). He spent only $320, leaving him with more than $5,500 on hand.
But here’s the interesting part: McDavid only received contributions from 11 people. That comes to an average donation of $552. Some notable names — Bob Pugh and Dan Schuppan of MBS Textbook Exchange gave him $750 total. Scott Atkins threw him $500 and Columbia Insurance group gave him a co0l $1,000.
Of course, McDavid has some invaluable endorsements so far, from the Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia Professional Firefighters. He’s also bound to get more backing as the election date approaches. CMDC leader Don Stamper was a volunteer at his event Tuesday, and Karen Taylor, leader of the downtown camera initiative, spoke there as well.
But Wade has also signed on some prominent business people, though many donated before McDavid announced. He’s gotten money from local business attorney Craig Van Matre, former REDI chairman Bob Black, current REDI chairman Dave Griggs, architect Nick Peckham, CMDC co-founder and former BCNB president Albert Price and Chamber player Wally Pfeffer. He’s also got support from Planning and Zoning commissioners Jeff Barrow and David Brodsky. Full disclosure here: Business Times Company co-owner Dave Baugher also donated to Wade.
I’m sure there’s plenty more cash coming McDavid’s way, but right now, Wade seems to have a pretty strong support network.
Check out the full reports here.
Categories: City Politics.
[...] Wade has named every donor giving to his campaign, which speaks to his meticulous nature. Candidates are not required to name donors giving under $100, but Wade has opted to do so. For a list of notable donors for Wade and McDavid, check out my old post. [...]