Yes, it IS big news. Actually, BIG BIG news.
On January 1 of this year, Adrian Perkins was a virtual unknown to Shreveport voters. He was still a student at Harvard Law School.
Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler had the highest name recognition of any elected official north of Baton Rouge. And she was a 3 year incumbent of the state’s third largest city.
Soo…how did all this translate into campaign contributions, which are the mother’s milk of politics?
Not good for the home team, as in incumbent. And fantastic for the upstart challenger who has tirelessly campaigned.
Perkins raised $17 grand more than Tyler in the March 1 to September 27 reporting period. And NO big bucks to Perkins from city contractors and vendors, who gave more than 50% of the money Tyler raised.
These two outclassed Taliaferro ($31,415 cash and $6,066 in kind), Jackson ($25,306 cash and $4,700 in kind) and Savage ($9,855 cash, $6,297 in kind and paraphernalia sales $2,655).
As far as cash on hand, Tyler held the upper hand at $93,557. She had retained funds of $33,386 at the start of the current reporting period. Perkins had $71,966 at the end of the reporting period.
The totals for the others fall off substantially. Jackson’s funds on hand were $23,139, followed by Taliaferro at $6956 and Savage at $3605.
Savage had loaned his campaign $21,246. Other loans include Jackson of $5500 to his effort and Taliaferro $600 to his campaign.
As far as heavy hitter donors, Perkins had 20 contributions of $2500 (the max) compared to Tyler’s 23. Perkins had more contributors (39) in the $1000—$2499 range than Tyler (27).
Perkins had a total of 216 contributors and Tyler had 158 contributors. Of these Perkins had 20 outside of Shreveport Bossier in Louisiana and 52 from out of state. Tyler had 23 donors outside Shreveport Bossier in the state and 9 out of state donors.
In state contributions for Perkins outside of Shreveport Bossier were $16,653 compared to Tyler’s donations of $17,620. Their out of state contributions were almost equal. Perkins raised $14,590 and Tyler had $16,000.
Money does not vote, but money does affect many votes. More importantly, the reports often influence additional contributions by many political observers who try to pick a campaign “winner.”
NOTE: This author has not contributed to any mayoral campaign. He not/has not been on any candidate campaign committees nor does he appears on any campaign finance reports. He has not endorsed any mayoral candidate.