David and Goliath swapped positions in the battle for fundraising supremacy over publicly financed campaigns in Portland.
Representing the little guy in the debate over Measure 26-108, Friends of Voter Owned Elections (which supports keeping Portland’s five-year-old system for giving cash to qualifying candidates in City Hall elections) raised $350,000 in cash and in-kind donations from private donors this cycle, according to the latest figures from the Secretary of State’s Office.
And the other guys? Portlanders Against Taxpayer Funded Political Campaigns, the alleged fat cats/titans of industry/Goliaths in this campaign, brought in just over $66,000 in cash and in-kind donations—about two-thirds of it from the Portland Business Alliance.
Did the “No” side raise so little money (relatively speaking, of course) because donors didn’t want to be associated in left-tilting Portland with the perceived Goliath? Will the more than 5-to-1 fundraising advantage of the “Yes” side be the difference?
We’ll know more after 8 pm when the first results come in. Check back at wweek.com for answers and more over-extended metaphors!
