[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIJYfvN9954[/youtube]
Oh boy, there are a few mayoral candidates who think spending the big coin will get them a mayor’s seat, silly boys;
MONEY
A look at the amount of money raised and spent by Sioux Falls mayoral candidates
Pat Costello: $124,835.57 in direct and in-kind contributions; $42,070.80 in expenditures
Bill Peterson: $52,344; $40,629.61
Mike Huether: $73,596.53; $38,838.49
Vernon Brown: $25,034; $9,238.19
Kermit Staggers: $7,854.25; $2,935.59
Janoct Ajda: $0; $0
As the past has proven, grassroots works in Sioux Falls, not money;
When Mayor Dave Munson won his first term in a run-off in 2002, his opponent, Dick Brown, spent 63 percent more money than Munson.
Former Mayor Gary Hanson, who served from 1994 to 2002, won his first term as mayor even though he was “significantly outspent,” he said.
I still believe this is true, you can’t put a value of knocking on 19,000 doors like Staggers has done. In fact Kermit was walking so fast the other day down 14th street that when I honked and waved at him, he didn’t even see me, he had campaign fever. While my liberal friends constantly hammer me about Kermit not being a ‘liberal’ it amazes me how much he reminds me of Paul Wellstone, a liberal/grassroots giant. Kermit will win in the General and he will win the Runoff because of hard work and determination, not because of money.
Staggers said the total is what he expected since he is running a grass-roots campaign.
“If money is the winning factor, why even have an election? We are out for the votes, not the money. The votes determine the election,” he said.
At the end of February, Staggers loaned his campaign $29,500 – a no-interest loan.
Staggers hasn’t spent a lot either. At just under $3,000, he’s nowhere near the expenditures of opponents Huether, Peterson and Costello, whom all have spent around $40,000.
“We are going to allow our opponents to spend, spend, spend,” Staggers said.
“When it comes to city government, I believe in being very efficient in spending. It’s also true in my life and in my campaign,” he added.
Oh, sweet poetic justice.
One thing worth mentioning. They get to keep what they don’t spend.
If you sent Costello money, he’s making $80K off you and your name is on every sucker list.
At the end of February, Staggers loaned his campaign $29,500 – a no-interest loan.
Staggers not only can not raise money but has to spend his own to keep up. Very sad.
My bet is now Costello and My Man Mike in a run off!
John- It just says who supports Kermit, the working man, who believe like I do, money in politics is the problem. I wouldn’t write him off yet.
Some one just emailed me this;
The following is from the city website:
Costello $78,395.37
Staggers $34,503.01
Heuther $16,401.02
Peterson $11,714.39
Brown $11,595.81
DL it is about money. To compete a candidate needs to raise money. It shows how people are invested in your campaign. Working class or not- contributions are needed. Self funding a campaign is a sign you are behind.
Yes, in a state or national election, you are right. But SF is still small enough that you can campaign on very little money. Did you read the story? Munson raised the least and won his first term. It tells me that money doesn’t really matter, I think it actually turns people off.
John says:
My bet is now Costello and My Man Mike in a run off!
Costello is robber baron most wanted in the rigged city bids scheme. Soon or just after the election, litigation will reflect this. If he (somehow) gets elected, I seriously doubt he’ll last more than 1 year before there’s a recall campaign initiated by the makeup of the new council. He grew up in Sioux Falls with strong friends and family ties, they’ll be embarrassed and hurt. It’s not to late for him to drop out with an $80,000 tax free unused campaign funds bonus.
PG is right, his connections and donors worry the shit out of me.