The last time the mayoral campaigns published their financial reports, Andy Shallal, Vincent Orange, and Vince Gray weren’t even in the race. Despite the new candidates, though, things are looking awfully familiar in the latest round of campaign finance reports filed yesterday. The reports, which cover Oct. 10 to Dec. 10, show Jack Evans bringing in more money than any other candidate, making him the first to pass the $1 million mark in total fundraising. Muriel Bowser‘s lower expenses, meanwhile, mean that she still leads the race in cash on hand by nearly $200,000.
Jack Evans
Raised: $251,363.91. Spent: $164,273.96 Cash on hand: $582,496.84.
Evans lived up to his reputation as a prolific fundraiser this period, bringing his campaign’s total amount raised in the race to $1,019.328.16. Among Evans’ donors: Georgetown developer Anthony Lanier ($2,000), one-time Marion Barry girlfriend Donna Watts-Brighthaupt ($13), ex-World Bank president and Iraq war architect Paul Wolfowitz ($100), Wizards and Capitals scion Zach Leonsis ($250), and two companies affiliated with gas king Joe Mamo ($4,000).
Evans’ campaign continues to spend big, though, including $11,558 in payments to Peaceoholics co-founder Jauhar Abraham and his company. Evans’ birthday party at Park at 14th looks to have been an expensive proposition for his campaign, which paid $10,005 to the trendy nightclub.
Muriel Bowser
Raised: $211,323.50. Spent: $68,013.83. Cash on hand: $756,019.03
Like Evans, Bowser took in a haul from businesses, including donations from Worldwide Parking ($1,000), Monument Realty ($2,000), lobbying firm Elmendorf Ryan ($1,000), and city contractor Fort Myer Construction ($2,000). Bowser’s other donors included District developers Louis Donatelli ($2,000) and John Akridge ($1,000).
Bowser’s expenses included $6,600 for voter identification calls and $4,846.15 for yard signs. Before filing her papers yesterday, Bowser told LL she was pleased with her fundraising totals, which she claims are going according to the schedule the campaign laid out months ago.
“We’re at exactly the same position Vince Gray was when he decided to get $600,000 under the table,” Bowser says.
Tommy Wells
Raised: $100,583.33. Spent: $107,604.65. Cash on hand: $132,570.64.
Wells achieved a dubious distinction reporting period, with his campaign spending more than it raised. Wells’ donors include former chief of staff and Ward 6 Council candidate Charles Allen ($250) and State Board of Education executive director Jesse Rauch ($72). Wells put $4,500 into his campaign this period.
Vincent Orange
Raised: $80,200. Spent: $0. Cash on hand: $80,200.
Orange’s campaign received some big bundles this reporting period, including $20,000 from two people and eight companies that share a Rockville address with parking company Worldwide Parking and a combined $12,000 from companies owned by D.C. gas station operator Mamo. Orange, who gave $2,000 to his campaign himself, also received $1,000 each from ex-Councilmember and lobbyist John Ray and Ray associate Tina Ang.
Reta Lewis
Raised: $35,818. Spent: $56,513.49. Cash on hand: $58,123.32.
Lewis’ campaign spent $2,500 on the Campaign Group, the political firm behind these oppressively upbeat ads. Lewis’ other expenses included $2,500 to Dupont Circle speechwriting firm STET Communications and a $500 refund to a would-be donor who lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Christian Carter
Raised: $300.21. Spent: $76.26. Cash on hand: $339.45.
Longshot candidate Christian Carter earned some attention from his debate confrontation with Gray, but it hasn’t helped his campaign’s bank account. Carter donated $200.21 to his campaign himself this reporting period, bringing his total contributions to his campaign to $4,038.21.
Vince Gray
Raised: $0. Spent: $0. Cash on hand: $0.
At eight days old, Gray’s campaign says they don’t have much to report.
Andy Shallal
Raised: $120,716.65. Spent: $27,443.31. Cash on hand: $93,273.33.
Shallal started his campaign kick-off at Ben’s Chili Bowl last month with a bongo drums performance that, according to his new campaign filing, cost $400. On the same day, Shallal loaned his campaign $25,000 of his own money, following up ahead of yesterday’s filing deadline with another loan of $20,000.
Shallal’s willingness to risk his own money in the campaign could concern some candidates, but it was a source of mirth to Bowser when she heard about it.
“The rich socialist,” Bowser said. “I love it.”
Photo by Darrow Montgomery