(Photos © Jonathan Maus)
In a rare move for an aspiring politician, City Council hopeful Jim Middaugh is telling supporters to stop giving him money.
In a statement released late Thursday night, he claimed they are “over the top” with $5 contributions. “In fact,” the statement said,
“We’re over the top so far that I need to ask you to please stop gathering new contributions. We can’t keep up.”
Middaugh, a daily bike rider who I met with last week, had to submit 1,000 $5 contributions by January 31st to qualify for public financing.
He had 781 by the first week and now he claims he’ll have collected “1,400 or more” by the end of Friday and he’s “very confident we will be approved by the city auditor.”
Once approved, Middaugh will have about $150,000 to begin his campaign. Insiders say he’ll need every penny to thwart his main competition, Nick Fish. Fish lost a hotly contested election with Sam Adams back in 2004 and has opted to not seek public financing.
Middaugh is currently the chief of staff for the man he hopes to replace, City Commissioner Erik Sten.
In his most recent announcement, Middaugh said (among other things), “I’m ready to lead the charge for new and better transportation options.”
In other City Council election news…
- Don’t forget to attend the “Over-the-Top” party for Chris Smith this Sunday.
- Northeast Portland resident Tamara DeRidder has thrown her hat in the ring to challenge Middaugh and Fish in the race for Sten’s seat.
- Read more updates on other candidates and races over on the Willamette Week’s blog.
- Read all my local politics coverage at the new Election 2008 page.