by Adam Beam
The State
Columbia mayoral candidate Steve Benjamin raised $102,475 in his first full fundraising quarter, believed to be the most ever for a City Council candidate.
Mayor Bob Coble, who is not seeking re-election, raised $133,000 in the final quarter leading up to his 2006 race, but a portion of that was borrowed. All of Benjamin's money came from campaign contributions.
"Steve Benjamin is the front-runner," said Bob Wislinski, a political consultant who has been involved in numerous city elections. "He has made a viable case that he will be the next mayor."
City Councilman Kirkman Finlay, believed by political observers to be Benjamin's most serious challenger, raised $6,100 in the nine days between his announcement for mayor and the end of the quarter.
...
Benjamin pointed to his 358 contributors, most of whom gave donations of $100 or less, as a sign of the type of growing support needed to win a local election.
"Our team is getting broader, and it's getting deeper. I find that encouraging," Benjamin said. "We're not going to slow down."
...
Click here to view the original article.
The State
Columbia mayoral candidate Steve Benjamin raised $102,475 in his first full fundraising quarter, believed to be the most ever for a City Council candidate.
Mayor Bob Coble, who is not seeking re-election, raised $133,000 in the final quarter leading up to his 2006 race, but a portion of that was borrowed. All of Benjamin's money came from campaign contributions.
"Steve Benjamin is the front-runner," said Bob Wislinski, a political consultant who has been involved in numerous city elections. "He has made a viable case that he will be the next mayor."
City Councilman Kirkman Finlay, believed by political observers to be Benjamin's most serious challenger, raised $6,100 in the nine days between his announcement for mayor and the end of the quarter.
...
Benjamin pointed to his 358 contributors, most of whom gave donations of $100 or less, as a sign of the type of growing support needed to win a local election.
"Our team is getting broader, and it's getting deeper. I find that encouraging," Benjamin said. "We're not going to slow down."
...
Click here to view the original article.
