2013 Election
O'Brien Campaign Says He'll Return Any Contributions Over $10
City council member Mike O'Brien---who's launched a quixotic effort to raise $10,000 exclusively in $10 contributions before taking any other campaign donations--- sent out a vague press release this morning
about how the fundraising tactic turned out at his campaign kickoff last night. While it hyped "over 200" "pledges" to "get on board," there were no hard stats on how much he actually raised.
We talked to his staffer and campaign volunteer Josh Fogt to get some details.
Fogt says people turned in 158 contribution envelopes last night. That, combined with 62 online contributions, brings his theoretical total to $2,200. "If somebody put in a 20, we're going to return" $10 of it, Fogt said.
Fogt acknowledges that the campaign is accepting in-kind donations larger than $10. For example, the space for last night's fundraiser, at the Hub in Pioneer Square, was donated. He says the $10 "challenge is about cash donations," not in-kind contributions. "Obviously, to put on events, we're going to be looking for people who can donate their skills, their expertise, or their space."
During his first campaign in 2009, O'Brien spent just under $152,000, including $9,000 of his own money, to knock back a pack of five other candidates for the open seat previously held by Richard McIver.
Currently, according to O'Brien's most recent campaign finance report with the city (from May 2010), his campaign is $8,700 in the red---meaning that if he raises $10,000, it will only amount to about $1,300 on the positive side of his campaign ledger. In contrast, the other three council incumbents up for reelection next year are all in the black.
The fat cat of the bunch? Nick Licata, who has $12,500 in the bank.
We talked to his staffer and campaign volunteer Josh Fogt to get some details.
Fogt says people turned in 158 contribution envelopes last night. That, combined with 62 online contributions, brings his theoretical total to $2,200. "If somebody put in a 20, we're going to return" $10 of it, Fogt said.
Fogt acknowledges that the campaign is accepting in-kind donations larger than $10. For example, the space for last night's fundraiser, at the Hub in Pioneer Square, was donated. He says the $10 "challenge is about cash donations," not in-kind contributions. "Obviously, to put on events, we're going to be looking for people who can donate their skills, their expertise, or their space."
During his first campaign in 2009, O'Brien spent just under $152,000, including $9,000 of his own money, to knock back a pack of five other candidates for the open seat previously held by Richard McIver.
Currently, according to O'Brien's most recent campaign finance report with the city (from May 2010), his campaign is $8,700 in the red---meaning that if he raises $10,000, it will only amount to about $1,300 on the positive side of his campaign ledger. In contrast, the other three council incumbents up for reelection next year are all in the black.
The fat cat of the bunch? Nick Licata, who has $12,500 in the bank.
