Taking a look at fundraising patterns is often a good indicator of a candidate’s eventual success, especially in local elections.
On the other hand, the crystal ball in Gulfport’s mayoral race is a little foggy.
Barbara Banno has grossly outraised incumbent Sam Henderson so far, but he appears to be catching up, and the two have about the same amount of cash on hand. Banno is doing a good job of raking in larger contributions, but Henderson is getting contributions from more people.
Here’s what that means: Banno has already spent a lot of money, but much of it has gone to campaign consulting fees, and she’s now left almost even with Henderson to fund the last few weeks of the campaign. Even though she’s brought in more cash, the number of people she’s persuaded to give, at least during the month of January, was fewer than Henderson. And he appears to be catching up, having raised only slightly less money than her in January.
Money, in this case, doesn’t necessarily point to a clear front runner.
During the month of January, Henderson raised $4,385 compared with Banno’s $4,615. Henderson’s total amount raised is less than $200 above that at $4,525, suggesting he’s only just started hitting the campaign trail hard. Banno has raised a total of more than $11,000.
Henderson has only spent $385 of his campaign haul while Banno has spent nearly $8,000.
Henderson also brought in 59 donations, including in-kind contributions, and there were people who may have given more than once during the month. Under that criteria, Banno brought in just 42 contributions.
Of those totals, Henderson had 35 that were less than $100 and another 16 just $100. Banno received fewer small contributions; just 20 were under $100. Three were for $500, one $300, two $250, and three $200 checks. Another 13 supporters gave $100 each.
Money for both came mostly from locals. Of Henderson’s 59 contributions, 48 were from Gulfport residents or businesses. Banno’s local support wasn’t quite as heavy, with 26 of 42 contributions coming from within the city.
While both have some big-name donors, Henderson appears to be leading that battle. Former Florida CFO and two-time losing candidate for governor and Congress Alex Sink contributed $250. Congressional candidate Eric Lynn kicked in $100 as did Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long.
Lynn, however, contributed the same amount to both campaigns.
Henderson even attracted a contribution from an unlikely source. Prominent Pinellas County Tea Party member and Pinellas transit critic Tom Rask donated $50 to Henderson’s campaign despite otherwise ideological differences. Henderson supported the failed Greenlight Pinellas transit initiative, which Rask fought vehemently.
Meanwhile, Banno received contributions from two prominent county Democrats. MaryAnn Renfrow, finance chairwoman and event coordinator for the local party, donated $100. Mary Lou Ambrose, a secretary for the Pinellas County Democrats, wrote a check for $25.
Banno spent more money than she took in during the month of January. The Gulfport restaurant owner spent a total of $5,543 throughout January. More than $4,000 of that went to her campaign consulting firm, Keen Campaigns. However, just about $2,000 was for campaign management. The rest funded campaign materials.
Banno spent another $700 on food for a campaign event. The rest went to places like Office Depot and Party City for election and election party supplies, banking fees, donation collection costs, advertising, and stamps.
Henderson spent just $265 in January. That was for advertising with the Gulfport Gabber.
The two face off at the polls March 15.
