Mayor Erin Mendenhall continues to outpace former Mayor Rocky Anderson in fundraising and campaign spending as the countdown to Election Day ticks away, spending reports released Friday show.
Mendenhall, who is seeking a second term at the helm of City Hall, brought in more than $160,000 for the reporting period that ran from July 2 through Oct. 5, outraising Anderson by more than $75,000.
“Erin is honored by the outpouring of support for her reelection,” Ian Koski, Mendenhall’s campaign manager, said in a statement. “It’s clear that Salt Lakers appreciate Mayor Mendenhall’s leadership over the last four years and believe in her positive vision for this city. Salt Lakers don’t want to see the city taken backward and are investing to ensure it isn’t.”
Despite having trailed the incumbent mayor in fundraising throughout the campaign, Anderson said Friday that he was happy with the support he has received “from people who want to see a major change of leadership in our city.”
“We’ve spent the money wisely and conservatively, just like I did in the private and public sectors,” Anderson said in a statement. “Our most valuable asset is not the cash, but the dozens of hard-working volunteers who are worth their weight in gold. The important thing is that we’re successfully communicating to the public about my vision of a city without homeless encampments, without impunity for those who violate the laws, and with compassionate treatment of residents, the homeless community, and businesses, increasing the quality of life for everyone.”
Where the money stands
Since early 2020, Mendenhall has raised nearly $740,000 and spent about $480,000. She has more than $290,000 in her account.
She ramped up spending in the most recent reporting period, shelling out more than $230,000. Her largest expenses — a combined $55,000 — went to Koski’s company, Quorum Creative, for media buys.
Notable donations to Mendenhall’s campaign included maxed-out contributions of $3,720 from actor Ty Burrell, who is part-owner of downtown’s Beer Bar and Bar X, and Delta Air Lines.
The first-term mayor received nearly $7,000 in donations of $50 or less.
Anderson raised more than $85,000 in the most recent fundraising period, bringing his contribution total for the election cycle to nearly $314,000. He spent $93,000 in the reporting period, leaving roughly $83,000 in his account.
The former two-term mayor received maxed-out donations from developer Roger Boyer and Lance Bullen, founder of Colmena Group, a Salt Lake City-based real estate development and investment firm. Donations of $50 or less made up about $3,000 of what Anderson brought in.
Anderson’s largest expenses included $40,000 for digital ads and $5,000 on production of a music video.
First-time candidate Michael Valentine, a small-business owner and community activist, brought in about $2,200, including nearly $1,900 he contributed to himself. His largest expense — about $575 — covered campaign yard signs.
Salt Lake City Council races
Three of Salt Lake City’s council seats have contested races this fall.
District 2 council member Alejandro Puy, who represents a swath of the city’s west side, is running unopposed to retain his seat. Despite having an uncontested race, Puy raised nearly $1,200 in the most recent period and spent about $4,000. He has $14,700 left in his account.
Three candidates for District 4, which includes downtown, put up competitive fundraising numbers for the period.
Incumbent Ana Valdemoros raised about $15,000 in the reporting period, including $780 from Puy’s campaign and $500 from Zions Bank CEO Scott Anderson.
She spent about $30,000 — mostly on services from Puy’s political consulting firm, Landslide Political. About $22,000 went to the firm for canvassing work and another $6,500 covered campaign mailers, consulting fees, flyers and ads. Valdemoros has $20,000 left in her account.
Eva Lopez Chavez, a former community liaison for Salt Lake City, raised nearly $20,000 and spent about $8,500 in her quest to unseat Valdemoros. She has about $21,000 left in her account.
Park City spokesperson Clayton Scrivner, also running in District 4, brought in nearly $15,000 over the reporting period, including a maxed-out donation of $790 from Mendenhall’s husband, former council member Kyle LaMalfa. (Mendenhall’s campaign has previously donated to Valdemoros.)
Scrivner spent $7,000 in the period and has nearly $21,000 in his account.
Four candidates are running to represent District 6, which includes a slew of east-side neighborhoods.
Incumbent Dan Dugan raised about $15,000, an amount that included a maxed-out donation from Mendenhall’s campaign. He spent roughly $7,500 and has about $25,000 left in his account.
Attorney Taymour Semnani raised nearly $45,000 in the reporting period with contributions that included a $19,000 loan from himself. He spent more than $40,000 in the period and has about $11,000 left in his account.
Developer James Alfandre, meanwhile raised about $27,000, spent about $8,500 and has more than $18,000 on hand.
Jack Bellows, who also filed to run for the seat, did not submit a campaign finance report.
In District 7, which includes the east-side’s Sugar House, Sarah Young is running to retain the seat she was appointed to in July. She raised about $9,000 in the reporting period, spent about $7,300 and has about $1,800 in her account.
She is trying to fend off Molly Jones, who also applied to fill the District 7 vacancy after former council member Amy Fowler resigned. Jones raised $15,000 in the period, spent nearly $6,000, and has more than $9,000 in her campaign account.
The next reporting period ends Oct. 24. Election Day is Nov. 21.
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