Last night was the deadline for campaign finance filings, and Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans has won the morning and raised $143,000 so far in his re-election bid. (Evans’ report isn’t up at the Office of Campaign Finance as of LL writing this blog post, but his staff says that’s what the magic number is.) Evans is trying to scare serious candidates from challenging him with a big money haul. Was this enough to do the trick?

Also pulling down plenty of dough is Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, who raised more than $85,000. Her declared opponents aren’t even close to that money total. Baruti Jahi has raised about $3,000 but already spent $2,000. Judi Jones has raised $900, with $850 coming from her pockets.

Independent at-large Councilmember Michael Brown, who probably doesn’t need to campaign at all given that all he has to do is come in second during the general election, has raised more than $60,000. He also paid the W Hotel about $10,000 to host the fundraiser where he raised most of his money.

And Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander raised $6,900, which about $3,000 of appears to have been raised at her campaign kick-off barbecue fundraiser at Mayor Vince Gray’s house over the weekend.

Remember, the April primary is only eight months away. Anyone looking to mount a credible challenge to an incumbent had better start raising some serious moula soon, or they can forget it.