Denver mayoral candidates have raised at least $1.3 million with less than three months to go until the May 3 election, according to January financial reports submitted Monday.
Fifteen candidates are running for mayor, but the level of fundraising is beginning to separate the field, said Eric Sondermann, political consultant.
“In some respects, the first primary of any campaign is the ability to raise money,” Sondermann said. “Having the most money doesn’t predict the winner, but you have to show some level of competitiveness.”
In 2003, the top candidates after the January filing had raised about $2 million.
“This one is slower to engage,” Sondermann said. “A whole lot of people aren’t really wanting to accept the reality of a big mayor’s race.”
Candidates who have raised the bulk of the money are former state Sen. Chris Romer, City Councilwoman Carol Boigon, City Councilman Michael Hancock and Denver Preschool Program chief James Mejia.
Only seven turned in campaign-finance reports for January by the Monday deadline.
Romer was the big money raiser — collecting $251,383 last month, bringing his total raised to $479,742. At the end of the month he had $414,807 in the bank.
“We are going to run a lean and focused campaign, and this is exactly how I will run the city and manage the city’s budget,” Romer said in a release.
Boigon raised $213,711, which included a $100,000 loan from herself and her husband.
“It was an investment getting started and we wanted to get off to a strong start,” she said. “To talk to the people of Denver, you have to have the money for mail and television communication. We can’t do it by telepathy.”
Hancock raised $125,085 in January and spent a total of $175,000 for future radio and television advertisements — leaving his campaign with $72,000 in the bank.
“Michael is incredibly honored by the tremendous response to his ideas for moving this city forward together,” said campaign manager Evan Dreyer in a news release.
Mejia raised $53,076 in January, leaving him with a total of $174,241 in the bank. The campaign feels confident.
“At the end of the day, all of us will get on TV,” said Berrick Abramson, Mejia’s campaign manager. “I would not trade the top money position for the amount of grassroots support that we have. Spend away, Mr. Romer.”
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
January financial statements of Denver mayoral candidates
Carol Boigon
Collected in January: $213,711
Collected in Total: $322,741
Transferred from council campaign: $56,432
Loan: $100,000
In the bank: $301,291
Key contributors: Machii Ross Petroleum; Marvin Gart; Paul Rady, Antero Resources Corp.; Jay Perlmutter.
Michael Hancock
Collected in January: $125,085
Collected in total: $285,878
Transferred from council campaign (in 2010): $48,296
In the bank: $72,103
Key contributors: Metro Taxi; Oakwood Homes; Elmer Jackson, consultant; Bookhardt & O’Toole.
Doug Linkhart
Collected in January: $38,372
Collected in total: $52,903
Loan: $65,000 (in 2010)
In the bank: $63,819
Key contributors: John Powers, president Alliance For Sustainable Colorado; Robert J. Corry Jr., attorney; Samuel Gary, president Gary-Williams Energy Corp.; Haven Moses.
James Mejia
Collected in January: $53,076
Collected in total: $243,953
Loan to campaign (in 2010): $30,000
In the bank: $174,241
Key contributors: John MacFarlane, CEO Sonos Inc.; Cindy Pena; Marco Antonio Abarca, president Ready Foods.
Chris Romer
Collected in January: $251,383
Collected in total: $479,742
In the bank: $414,807
Key contributors: Michelle Sie Whitten, Sie Foundation; Greg C. Stevinson & Co.; Gaston Caperton, president of College Board.
Theresa Spahn
Collected in January: $44,946
Collected in total: $72,163
In the bank: $44,834
Key contributors: Adam Gollin, attorney; Michelle Hannigan.
Eric Jon Zinn
Collected in January: $400
Collected in total: $620
In the bank: $528
Key contributors: Al Zervas, magistrate.
