Labor fills McGrane campaign coffers

Labor organizations are supporting Jerry McGrane in a big way in his runoff race today against Pat Shey for the District 3 council seat.

McGrane's campaign war chest has grown to $46,226, which includes a new infusion of $24,926 since candidates reported contributions immediately before the Nov. 3 general election. Most of the contributions are large ones from labor groups.

Shey had raised $8,498 before the general election to go with $1,456 his campaign had on hand from his City Council race in 2005. Shey had until the end of the workday Monday to update his contribution list with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board if he has additional contributions to report.

In the latest labor contributions to McGrane, an entity called Buy Local, Build Local, Employ Local has given McGrane's campaign $10,000. The entity lists its address at the office of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 125, which also has provided McGrane with $7,000 in new funds.

Shey's contributions to date have come from individuals except for a $350 contribution from the Master Builders of Iowa.

The state campaign board also reported that Don Karr, a candidate in the at-large council race, has filed a new report listing $6,717 in contributions.

His opponent for that at-large seat, Aaron Saylor, listed $7,872 in donations, including $4,559 since the Nov. 3 filing.