City Council candidates fundraise, prepare for Election Day Nov. 3

Oct 29 2009 - 12:05am | Clay Thorp

John Thomaides, the only incumbent running for City Council, is out-spending his opponents in Place 6 by more than three to one.

According to campaign finance reports obtained from the City Clerk’s Office Monday, Thomaides’ political contributions and expenditures — $12,233 and $8,175, respectively — are higher than the other five Place 5 and 6 candidates.

Thomaides’ opponents for Place 6, Anita Fuller and Monica Garcia, reported no money contributed and $527 in expenditures and $4,469 in contributions and $2,264 in expenditures, respectively.

However, candidates in Place 5 have raised and spent similar amounts.

Ryan Thomason leads the candidates for Place 5 with $6,825 in contributions and $5,181 in expenditures.

Shaune Maycock raised $2,336 in contributions and $4,716 in expenditures. Lisa Marie Coppoletta has accumulated $1,720 in contributions and $2,433 in expenditures.

City Councilmember Kim Porterfield, Place 1 — who campaigned against an incumbent two years ago — called fundraising burdensome, but necessary.

Porterfield said social networking, volunteer phone banks and block-walking are beneficial practices candidates can employ to become familiar with issues close to community members without overspending.

“If you raise more money, you can afford to advertise and send out direct mail,” Porerfield said. “Usually, if you have people who support you financially, that is an indication they like you and what you’re doing. Asking people for money is the most unattractive part of being a public servant, but you need to do it.”

According to the Texas Ethics Commission’s Candidate and Office Holder Campaign Finance Report Instruction Guide, candidates must file a series of campaign finance reports throughout the year. These include two semi-annual reports due on Jan. 15 and July 15 of each year, as well as reports due 30 and eight days before the election.

Early voting ends Friday. Election Day is Nov. 3.

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