AURORA | Mike Coffman, a candidate for Aurora mayor, has seemingly already broken a campaign finance record for the city, raising $439,640.
“Voters are excited to elect someone who can make a difference for the City of Aurora, and that’s Mike Coffman,” Aurora Ogg, Coffman’s campaign manager, said in a statement about the fundraising numbers. “As Mike details his plans to bring down the crime rate, improve our transportation system, and address housing affordability, his campaign will continue gaining momentum.”
While most historical campaign finance data is not available to the public on the city’s website, Aurora City Clerk Stephen Ruger said it does appear Coffman has set a record.
The first campaign filing reports were due to the city on Wednesday. Data compiled by the Sentinel shows the mayoral race is quickly approaching the $1 million mark.
SEE STORY ABOUT CITY COUNCIL RACE FINANCE REPORTS HERE
Candidate Ryan Frazier, a former city council member, raised $199,195. Approximately $102,000 of that is his own money. Current council member and mayoral candidate Marsha Berzins raised $126,029.25. Of that, $36,708.37 came from her previous campaign in Ward III and $25,000 is a loan from herself, according to the campaign finance report.
Local NAACP president Omar Montgomery raised $62,750.58.
Renie Peterson, who formerly represented northeast Aurora in city council, raised $9,500.
Coffman boasts 770 total contributions, 95 percent of those coming from individuals, his campaign said in a news release. The report shows some of those individuals are big hitters, like billionaires Nancy and Philip Anschutz, who donated $10,000.
More than half of the contributions were contributions of less than $100, according to Coffman’s campaign.
Coffman’s campaign has already reportedly spent $131,163.00, much of that appears to be for events and consulting. Frazier’s campaign has spend just more than $66,000; Berzins’ campaign has spent close to $34,000; Montgomery’s campaign has spent about $44,000 and Peterson’s campaign has spent the least, $36.70.
The reports are the earliest mayoral and city council candidates have ever had to file. A new ordinance, passed by the city council in June, requires reports be filed at 90 days, 60 days, 30 days, 14 days and the Friday before election day. Another finance report would be required 30 days after the election.