If money is any indication, Tarpon Springs mayoral candidate Chris Alahouzos is leading the charge in his race. Alahouzos served as Vice Mayor of Tarpon Springs and six years on the City Commission. He’s raised more than $36,000 since launching his campaign.
Meanwhile his opponent, Frank DiDonato, raised just $50 during December. The two candidates’ campaign cash totals are daunting for DiDonato. The Chiropractor has raised less than $3,500 to date.
DiDonato is a former Mayor serving from 1998 until 2004 and as a City Commissioner from 1991 until 1994.
Alahouzos is endorsed by some big names in the county including Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, State Senator Jack Latvala, State Representative Chris Sprowls and School Board member Ken Peluso.
Alahousos has been a resident of Tarpon Springs for 48 years. He’s a Marine Reserves veteran and a member of the local Rotary Club.
DiDonato doesn’t appear to be working too terribly hard on this election. He doesn’t have a website, and his Facebook page had been inactive since the end of September when he posted that he’d be running for the seat.
The two candidates are vying for the chance to replace incumbent Mayor David Archie.
Alahouzos appears to have slowed down his fundraising efforts, though. During December, he raised just $550. Ironically, $500 of that came from Atlas Injury Center, a personal injury clinic.
Alahouzos spent just under $7,500 in December. About $5,000 of that was for advertising with $4,000 going to Brighthouse and another $1,000 to the Greek Voice.
DiDonato spent a little less than $1,000 in December. Most of that paid for signs.
Two other candidates will appear on the March 15 Presidential Preference Primary down-ballot in Tarpon Springs. Tim Keffalas and Susan Slattery are vying for the seat currently held by Jeff Larson.
Keffalas most recently ran unsuccessfully as a Republican in a crowded Primary to replace former County Commissioner Susan Latvala. He’s also run unsuccessfully against his current opponent before. Slattery won re-election to the City Commission in 2011 against Keffalas.
Slattery served on the City Commission from 2008 until 2013. According to a campaign letter posted on her Facebook page she “stepped away from government” to “focus on the private sector.
Now Slattery is planning a comeback telling supporters she wants to “continue on the path of fiscal responsibility that preserves our heritage while preparing for the future.”
Slattery’s December financial reports show she loaned her campaign $3,000 bringing her campaign total to $4,690. She spent $2,000 in December on printing services.
Keffalas filed a waiver of report for December’s reporting period indicating there was no campaign activity.
