Fundraising varies widely in mayor’s race, but top candidates keeps reserves for final weeks

By Mariann Martin, contributor
Frontrunners in the Atlanta mayoral race headed into the home stretch with a significant cash reserves before the November 7 election.
Seven candidates in the crowded field had more than $200,000 each to make their final pitches to voters. Early voting began October 16 and will continue through November 3.
Total fundraising amounts among the candidates varied widely, ranging from over $2 million to less $500,000.
Former Atlanta Chief Operating Officer Peter Aman had the highest reserve, with $624,000 on hand. City Councilwoman Mary Norwood came in second with $531,000 in her reserves. Norwood has led public polling by a significant margin throughout the race, with the remaining candidates jockeying for second place at the polls. The two top vote-getters will likely compete in a December run-off.
City Council President Ceasar Mitchell had $455,000 on hand, while Keisha Lance Bottoms had $441,000.
Former City Council President Cathy Woolard, City Councilman Kwanza Hall, and former state Sen. Vincent Fort all had more than $200,000 left in their reserves.
Aman and Mitchell both raised over $2 million to fuel their campaigns, but that number includes personal loans. Aman loaned his campaign $1 million. Mitchell provided $150,000 to his race.
Bottoms, Norwood, and Woolard all raised over $1 million. Bottoms’ number included $240,000 in loans.
Hall, who raised $617,000 and Fort, who raised $481,000, spent less earlier in their campaigns, but still have significant reserves.
John Eaves, former Fulton County Chairman, raised about $200,000 and had about $70,000 left.
Former Atlanta workforce agency head Michael Sterling dropped out of the race Tuesday and indorsed Mitchell. Sterling raised about $230,000 for his race, but only had $30,000 remaining the first of October.
In the less closely watched race for City Council President, the three city council members running for the seat raised less money, with no candidate topping $300,000. However, the three had significant cash reserves for the final weeks of the race.
City Councilman C.T. Martin raised $243,000 and had $115,000 in his coffers. Felicia Moore raised $215,000, with $118,000 left. Alex Wan raised $288,000, with $170,000 remaining.
Financial information filed with the City of Atlanta the first week in October:
Mayoral Race:
Peter Aman
Net on Hand: $624,297.68
Total Expenditures: $1,536,368.02
Total Contributions: $2,160,665.70
John Eaves
Net on Hand: $68,130.00
Total Expenditures: $137,017.01
Total Contributions: $205,147.00
Vincent Fort
Net on Hand: $214,387.72
Total Expenditures: $267,384.30
Total Contributions: $481,772.02
Kwanza Hall
Net on Hand: $241,551.30
Total Expenditures: $375,934.65
Total Contributions: $617,485.95
Keisha Lance Bottoms |
Net on Hand: $441,882.36
Total Expenditures: $742,076.75 Total Contributions: $1,183,959.11 Ceasar Mitchell Net on Hand: $455,506.29 Total Expenditures: $1,632,055.72 Total Contributions: $2,087,562.01 Mary Norwood Net on Hand: $531,824.44 Total Expenditures: $812,830.78 Total Contributions: $1,344,655.22 Michael Sterling Net on Hand: $30,328.93 Total Expenditures: $197,833.41 Total Contributions: $228,162.34 Cathy Woolard Net on Hand: $250,697.62 Total Expenditures: $760,729.81 Total Contributions: $1,011,427.43 City Council President C.T. Martin Net on Hand: $115,715.57 Total Expenditures: $126,393.03 Total Contributions: $243,708.00 Felicia Moore Net on Hand: $118,310.10 Total Expenditures: $97,151.90 Total Contributions: $215,462.00 Alex Wan Net on Hand: $170,387.39 Total Expenditures: $118,295.20 Total Contributions: $288,682.59 |