Spokane7
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July 9, 2011 in City
Funds growing in race for Spokane mayor
With about six weeks to go before the August primary, one challenger for the job of Spokane mayor has raised almost twice as much as incumbent Mary Verner.
The other three challengers, however, haven’t raised anything.
David Condon, who said he planned to raise about $400,000 for the campaign to be the city’s chief executive, got about a fourth of the way there in the first two months of campaigning, according to state Public Disclosure Commission records. He reported contributions of more than $99,000, a total fueled in part by 55 donations that hit the maximum of $800 for either the primary or the general.
Among them was $800 from U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, whom he served as deputy chief of staff until taking a leave of absence, and another $1,600 – split between the primary and the general election – from CMR Political Action Committee, her congressional leadership PAC. Among others giving $800, the maximum under state law, were Jim Cowles, chairman of Inland Empire Paper Co. and a member of the family that owns The Spokesman-Review, and Cowles’ wife, Wanda.
Verner has raised about $53,400 in cash and received another $6,400 from “in-kind” contribution of services, supplies and food for fundraisers. Among her top contributors are Don Barbieri, a local businessman and developer; the plasterers and cement masons’ union; CH2M Hill, a local engineering firm that contracts with city government; and Robert Harless of Douglas, Ga., her former flight instructor and a longtime friend.
Although he leads all candidates in money, Condon sent out an appeal to supporters this week saying he needs to raise $102,000 in the next 40 days.
“With 5 candidates in the race, I have to make sure I’m in one of the top two spots,” he wrote in an email appeal.
Condon and Verner are in a five-way primary on Aug. 16; under state law, the top two vote-getters move on to the general election in November.
They share the ballot with Mike Noder, the owner of a local demolition business; Barbara Lampert, a former nurse’s assistant who runs for some office every year; and Robert Kroboth, a former debt collector and occasional candidate who eschews media interviews and campaign debates.
None has reported raising any money, and Lampert and Kroboth usually have minimal expenses after paying their filing fees.
Noder, who ran for mayor in 2007, said he isn’t taking contributions.
Supermajority for taxes unconstitutional, judge rules 
Scoutster on July 09 at 6:44 a.m.
So, he’s afraid of not being One or Two when Three, Four and Five are fringe candidates who don’t raise any money.
Yet, twice as much as his opponent isn’t enough.
He must really need a job.
Lulubelle on July 09 at 7:08 a.m.
David Condon….Best (non-partisan - wink wink) Mayor money can buy!
misjustice on July 09 at 7:18 a.m.
Money = free speech
Or something like that.
DickAdams on July 09 at 9:15 a.m.
Congresswoman, Cathy Rodgers right hand man, David Condon, I feel and believe, helped Rodgers look the other when I told her about contaminated muni bonds to finance the Convention Center expansion project. Rodgers lied to me saying they had sent me email regarding my concerns and like the Spokesman Review, when I informed the newspaper about the corrupt financial package, looked the other way. When I asked Rodgers aide to furnish me copies of the email, they could not find them, and said they would send me a reply. Never heard word one. LIARS. Its no wonder the Cowleses contributed to candidate Condon. I have a audio tape of Roy Kogen, former bond attorney for Perkins Coie, and who the city of Spokane sued for the RPS robbery. See, camasmagazine.com. MisJ, your right on about MONEY. Sleaze at its finest.
mtharves on July 09 at 9:19 a.m.
Thanks for that important info Dick.
Bruce (aka thatoneguy) on July 10 at 6:11 a.m.
Can’t wait for the “put a Condon on Spokane – protect yourself from financially transmitted diseases” advertising campaign ;-)
ChefGus/ John Olsen on July 10 at 6:15 a.m.
When big money talks, the average person would do well to vote the other way. The office he previously worked for is one that was and remains unresponsive, and uncommunicative and not available to the average citizen with an alternate point of view. Lock step Republican (NOT non partisan) thinking and action is what you will get from this man. John