March 08, 2011 05:45 PM UTC

Investment bankers give money, Marijuana community doesn't, mayoral race continues

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• by: John Tzekara

February fundraising numbers have been released for the Denver mayoral race.  The big surprise to me was that Doug Linkhart ended up raising the least of every candidate who is approved on the ballot (he hasn’t actually turned in his petitions, the last of the “major” candidates not to do so).  

After a much talked about fundraiser in the medical marijuana community with the support of attorney Robert Corry, I expected to see some improvement in his numbers.  I didn’t expect councilman Linkhart to lead the pack, but he raised just a hair over 19K…below even Theresa Spahn (22K).  I can’t imagine how his campaign can be competitive going forward.

On the other end, Romer brought in a over a quarter million.  I’m curious to look through his donor list, but of course his years as an investment banker and his father’s rolodex can’t exactly hurt in the fundraising department.  According to a polster (whose name implies they aren’t a fan of Senator Romer), his connections also include HS cheerleaders

Hancock, Boigon, and Mejia raised within the “competitive” range, pulling in more money then they are spending, and all have enough to run TV, direct mail, etc.

Dan Willis is doing a great job of tracking who is and is not making ballot and after tomorrow (when petitions are finally due), we will how many people actually make ballot.

Here are the actual amounts raised/spent in the month of February(in order of raised)

Romer: Raised $252,710 Spent $102,162

(That’s a lot to spend given he has not made at TV buy yet!  What costs that much this early?)

Hancock: Raised $108,670 Spent $58,645

(Seems like a normal amount for operating expenses now that his billboards are down.  Good money, but seems to be losing support after some school reform comments)

Boigon: Raised $92,311 $87,391

(I’ve heard grumblings of some pretty high salaries for national consultants and top level staff, which would explain spending more than anyone except Romer)

Mejia: Raised $66,457 Spent $65,442

(Keeps Mejia competitive; but I’m curious to see what he can do in March.  Kind of the opposite of Hancock: I know more people starting to support Mejia — but can that be turned into new money this month?)

Spahn: Raised $22,431 Spent $17,646

(Well it’s better than Linkhart…I guess that’s something.  Maybe she can cut into Boigon’s “elect a female candidate crowd” if she can get any serious money, but otherwise I can’t see her getting much real traction)

Linkhart: Raised $19,104 Spent $31,024

(That’s just embarrassing)