SPOKANE, Washington — As the Spokane Mayoral race heats up, so do the candidates’ fundraising efforts.
Campaign contributions are a good way to track a candidate's progress and chances of winning a race. It also helps to know where each candidate is getting that money from, so we've compiled a list of how much the candidates have received from donations, where those donations came from and how much of that money has been used.
Of the seven candidates who have reported contributions made to their campaigns, three lead the race with five-digit totals. The other four all have under $3,000.
Nadine Woodward
Former TV anchor Nadine Woodward has reported a total $65,465.32 in cash contributions to her campaign as of April 2. That is the most funds raised out of any candidate in the race thus far. In terms of Individual Contributions, she has received $57,535.63, and the other $8,698.42 comes from sources listed under the category ‘other.’
A majority of her donations are individual contributions $1,000 are more. She also has a handful of business donations, and the rest is made up of smaller individual contributions.
Some notable names on Woodward's donor list: former TV anchor Charles Rowe, tire shop owner and activist Duane Alton, former US Attorney James McDevitt, former Sterling Bank CEO Heidi Stanley, and gun shop owner Robin Ball.
You can find Woodward's website here.
Ben Stuckart
Coming in close behind Woodward for most campaign funds raised is current Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart. As of April 19, his campaign has received $58,902 in cash contributions. The majority of those contributions come from individuals, at about $48,763.16. Following those are contributions from political action committees at $5,400, then Union contributions at $5,250, followed by business contributions of $3,893, then party contributions at $1,500 and $630 comes from ‘other’ sources.
Organizations and committees affiliated with the Democratic party or unions make up a noticeable portion of Stuckart's funding. Though, like Woodward, he also has a number of business donors, and the bulk of the funding comes from smaller individual contributors.
Some notable name's on Stuckart's donor list: author Jess Walter, former Center for Justice director Rick Eichstaedt, former ad executive Dennis Magner, and former Spokane Public Facilities District CEO Kevin Twohig.
Whereas Woodward doesn't yet have many donations from notable conservative politicians, Stuckart has a lot of support from progressive politicos.
They include: Spokane state senator and Democratic majority leader Andy Billig, Democratic Spokane state representative Marcus Riccelli, outgoing Democratic state Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, former Spokane mayor Jack Geraghty, and Spokane city council members Breean Beggs and Lori Kinnear.
He also has a donation from Lisa Brown's old congressional campaign committee.
You can find Stuckart's website here.
Shawn Poole
As of March 14, firefighter Shawn Poole had $12,125 in cash contributions, $10,675 of which are from individuals. Poole has received $1,000 from businesses and $1,440 from ‘other’ sources.
The business donation comes from Poole's Public House; the remainder of his donations are almost all contributions under $1,000.
You can find Poole's website here.
Jonathan Bingle
Business owner and former pastor Jonathan Bingle is next on the list with $2,745 in cash contributions as of February 11. The majority of that comes from individual contributions at $2,600, and $145 came from ‘other’ sources.
Many of Bingle's donors appear to be family members.
You can find Bingle's website here.
Kelly Cruz
West Central neighborhood leader Kelly Cruz follows closely behind Bingle with $2,000 in cash contributions as of December 12, 2018.
All of those funds are listed as coming from ‘other’ sources; the money is all Cruz's own money he's donated to his campaign.
Cruz does not have a website.
Chris Schroll
Lastly is Eastern Washington University graduate Chris Schroll, who has $106.00 in cash contributions as of February 28. Schroll received $90 from individual contributions and $70 from ‘other’ sources.
One notable Schroll donor: Robbi Anthony, who challenged Al French for Spokane County Commissioner last year.
You can visit Schroll's website here.
No donations
Declared candidates Jason Dixon and Manoochehre Gahvarehchee have not reported any money raised.