Hart raises $91,000, tops Cedar Rapids mayoral field

CEDAR RAPIDS - It doesn't count on Election Day, but thus far Brad Hart is the clear winner in the fundraising component of the competitive race for Cedar Rapids' next mayor.

Hart, a business attorney with Bradley & Riley, received 212 donations, raised $91,355 and spent $86,807, according to his disclosure of spending and fundraising. These were by far the highest dollar amounts among the 19 candidates running for Cedar Rapids City Council, including eight for mayor.

'I'm happy there's donations from all over the city from $10 to $10,000 - mostly all are $100 or less,” Hart said. 'What I've sensed all along in this campaign is people seem more enthused about my campaign than the others, even if they vote for someone else.”

City Council and mayoral candidates must file a report if they raised or spent more than $1,000. The financial disclosures covering the campaign season through Oct. 28 were due to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board on Thursday.

Overall, Cedar Rapids campaigns reported $378,884 in contributions and spending of $328,185.

Hart said fundraising was a key part of his campaign strategy because he didn't have the name recognition of some of his rivals who've held public office before.

'I had to start from scratch,” Hart said. 'I knew we'd have to raise more money because we had to do TV to get my name out there.”

The contributions are the most since outgoing Mayor Ron Corbett raised $104,522 in 2009, although that was a three-person race for mayor while eight are competing for votes and money this year.

right at $50k

Kris Gulick, Scott Olson and Monica Vernon came in nearly tied for second place, all with just under $50,000 in contributions.

Gulick, a certified public accountant and District 1 City Council member, received 90 donations and raised $48,593, of which $28,212 was on hand at the start of the filing period in January. He spent $40,095.

Scott Olson, a commercial broker and District 4 City Council member, received 151 donations, raised $47,575 and spent $45,253. He was the top contributor to his campaign and said he had vowed to match 25 percent of his contributions.

Vernon, a businesswoman and former District 2 City Council member, received 227 donations, raised $47,569 and spent $38,219. The 227 donations were the most among the field, although some contributors gave more than once.

'For me, I decided rather than spending my time raising money I would spend my time door knocking, and after I broke my toe, I worked the phones,” Vernon said. 'I think we raised the money to get my message out.”

Other mayoral

Among other mayoral candidates, Gary Hinzman, former director of the 6th Judicial District Department of Corrections, received 74 contributions and raised $30,633, of which he had $5,300 on hand before the filing period. He spent $29,229.

Tim Pridegon, pastor at Lifeline Ministries, received 25 contributions, raised $9,908 and spent $9,820.

Lemi Tilahun, a retail support specialist, received 49 contributions, raised $4,305 and spent $3,281.

Jorel Robinson, a productivity specialist at GoDaddy, received 19 contributions, raised $1,470, and spent $1,450.

District 1 Council

Marty Hoeger, who works in business development and Graham Construction, received 25 donations totaling $7,324 and spent $4,656. Ryan Russell, operations manager at LimoLink International, received 62, contributions, raised $7,578, and spent $4,021. Incumbent Gulick is not seeking re-election as he runs for mayor.

District 3 Council

Dale Todd, a former parks commissioner and champion of the Cedar Lake revival, led the way with 140 donations, $15,141 raised and $6,254 spent. Keith Rippy, head of Area Ambulance Service, received 39 donations totaling $11,600 and spent $17,332, leaving himself $5,732 in the hole as the filing period ended. Justin Wasson, owner of a power washing company and a neighborhood association leader, received 19 donations, raised $2,231 and spent $888. Incumbent Pat Shey is not seeking re-election.

District 5 Council

Justin Shields, the incumbent, collected 49 donations, reporting $32,537 in contributions and $23,796 spent. Ashley Vanorny, a internet technology analyst, had 48 contributions, raised $3,633 and spent $2,481. Keith Wiggins, a businessman, raised $2.460 from 13 donations and spent $2,444.

At-large Council

Tyler Olson, a solar energy executive, received 27 donations, raised $7,350 and spent $5,888. Lisa Kuzela, a mental health professional and government watchdog, collected 77 donations totaling $7,120 and spent $4,907. Damian Epps, pastor of Mount Union Missionary Baptist Church, received 12 donations, raised $501 and spent $1,365. Incumbent Ralph Russell is not seeking re-election.

Marion

Fundraising was more modest in the contests for Marion City Council:

Ward 2 Council

Steve Jensen, a retiree, received 45 donations for $4,835 and spent $4,786.17.

Peter Johnson, president of IPM Inc. in Marion, reported $350 in contributions, $325 spent and $1,190.03 in in-kind contributions for advertising, office supplies and campaign signs.

Ward 4 Council

Rene Gadelha, director of curriculum at virtual reality group VictoryVR, started the reporting period with $2,525.88, received one donation of $100 and spent $1,938.80. She is running unopposed.

At-large Council

Randy Strnad, business owner and insurance agent in Marion, received 18 donations, reported $1,565.08 in contributions and spent $1,110.92.

Bruce Cummins, who was also seeking the at-large seat, did not file a report.