Two newcomers raise the most in race for Iowa City council

IOWA CITY — Of the eight people running for Iowa City Council, two newcomers have raised the most in campaign contributions.

Tim Conroy, running for one of two at-large council openings, raised nearly $14,600 and spent more than $11,500, according to reports filed with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.

District C hopeful Scott McDonough raised nearly $12,900 and spent more than $9,800.

Iowa City voters Tuesday will select two at-large council members and representatives for districts A and C. The four elected will join the seven-member council.

Conroy attributed his fundraising totals to his networking.

'I was humbled by the amount of community support we got through donations,' he said Thursday. 'I think the community as a whole is excited that there is a younger professional running for city office, somebody who grew up here, who returned and set roots down here.'

Development has driven much of the election debate, and both Conroy and McDonough have expressed support for recent Iowa City projects, including the Chauncey, which received $14.2 million in financial aid from the city.

But while several Realtors, architects and developers are listed as contributors to both candidates' campaigns, so are area artists and business owners.

At-large candidate Jim Throgmorton, who's been representing District C, and District C candidate John Thomas were the next closest in terms of fundraising. Neither candidate is against development, but both have been more vocal critics of the city's use of tax increment financing to fund large projects.

Thomas raised almost $6,300 and spent more than $5,000 on his campaign.

Throgmorton entered his campaign with $800, raised $6,235 and spent $6,200.

Four years ago, Throgmorton ran uncontested for his District C seat. This time around, he noted the competition.

'I think it's very competitive this year, in terms of the four candidates for the two at-large seats,' he said, adding that while he has spent more money this time around, getting his points across has been key. 'What I really wanted to do, and I've done it the best I possibly could, is convey to voters what I stand for and why I stand for it.'

Fellow incumbents Rick Dobyns, running in District A, and Michelle Payne, running at-large, raised $5,700 and $6,845, respectively. Dobyns has spent about $1,200, Payne almost $3,900.

Attorney Rockne Cole, an at-large candidate, raised more than $3,700 in contributions and spent all but about $650.

Pauline Taylor, who is running in District A, raised almost $1,500 and spent all but $180.