So I went to the city’s campaign finance page to see who is ‘helping’ candidates with their campaigns. Obviously, some candidates that have announced have not officially filed yet. As I understand it, they cannot raise money until they do that.
Here is what we have so far;
Kenny Anderson Jr. (Mayor)
Curt Rust (Former elected official) – Chair
Kristeen Andersen (Independent Accountant) – Treasurer
Thor Bardon (City Council, Central District) Self-Chair and Treasurer
Jim Entenman (Mayor)
Michael Bender (Bender Commercial-Major Developer) & Rob Oliver (Former Augustana President) – Co-Chairs
Melissa Ellefson (Salesperson) – Treasurer
Clara Hart (At-Large Council) – Chair
Kyle Boese (Elbo Computers, former candidate for state legislature) – Treasurer
Jolene Loetscher (Mayor)
Emily Sievers (Marketing Director for Augustana) & Julian Beaudion (Works for State in Public Safety) – Co-Chairs
Sadie Bell (VP or Retail Banking, First Bank & Trust) – Treasurer
John Paulson (At-Large) – Treasurer
Dick Bohy (Retired Hospital Administrator) – Chair
Paul Ten Haken (Mayor)
Michelle Lavallee (Marketing Executive) & Dave Rozenboom (President of First Premier Bank) – Co-Chairs
Joel Dykstra (CEO RMB Associates/Developers) – Treasurer
David Zokaites (Mayor) – Chair
Mack Gammeter (?) – Treasurer
Friends of Sioux Falls (PAC)
Doug Wagner (?) – Chair and Treasurer
I’m not sure what the PAC is all about. I can’t find much information on it or it’s chair. Like most PAC’s they are a way to funnel money to certain candidates. So I guess we will have to watch and see who this PAC gives to.
As for the other candidates, their Co-Chairs can tell you a lot about them. As of right now, it looks like Jim Entenman will have a lot of connections, while big money in town seems to behind Paul Ten Haken.
On the Good Ship Lalley Pop show yesterday Pat and guest Matt Staab discussed who would make it to the runoff. If the election was today, I kind of agree with them. If Jolene doesn’t have any female challengers I would put her and Entenman in the runoff with Entenman winning.
But a lot of things can change between now and April. Jamison still hasn’t officially entered the race and we still are also waiting to hear more from candidates like Nick Weiland and Mike Gunn. I also expect at least 2-3 more candidates jumping in before the end of the year. It’s not too late for a game changer. So pull up your jeans and finish your cupcakes, it’s gonna be a long haul.