Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Democratic council candidates top hopefuls in funds
High-profile endorsements help fill the coffers of Trinkle, Ferris and Bestpitch.
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From The Roanoke Times
Endorsements by a pair of high-profile Roanoke Valley organizations are paying off for the three Democrats running for Roanoke City Council.
The Business Leadership Fund -- a chamber of commerce-administered political action committee -- contributed $2,500 each to the trio, Bill Bestpitch, Ray Ferris and David Trinkle. The Realtors Political Action Committee of Virginia added another $1,000 for each of the three.
The contributions helped the three Democrats outpace their Republican and independent opponents in fundraising for the most recent filing period, which ran from April 1 through April 23.
Incumbent Trinkle paced the field of seven candidates, which also includes independent Carl Cooper and Republicans Bob Craig, Mike Powell and Tony Walker. Trinkle raised $14,420 from 104 contributors including local kingmaker Warner Dalhouse and real estate developer Robert Fralin.
Ferris, in his first run for office, raised the second largest amount of money at $11,867 from 53 contributors including Dalhouse and a number of real estate, medical and legal professionals.
Bestpitch ranked third at $7,125, raised from 31 contributors.
Craig outraised his fellow Republicans and ranked fourth overall, raising $4,150 from 10 contributors. His largest contributor to date is retired businessman Stuart Barbour, who gave Craig $1,600.
Walker ranked next with $1,000 from four contributors.
Cooper raised no money this period, but continued to spend money he raised earlier in the campaign cycle.
Powell did not file a report by the Monday deadline.
The general election is Tuesday, May 4. Three seats are available.
The seven candidates will meet for two events today, including a lunchtime candidates forum hosted by the Kiwanis Club at Schaal's Metamorphosis on Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke, and then at 6:30 p.m. for a forum on education funding hosted by the Roanoke Central Council PTA at William Fleming High School.
