(Photo © J. Maus)
City Auditor Gary Blackmer has just issued the official notice (full text below) that Chris “Citizen” Smith has gathered the requisite signatures and donations in order to qualify for public funding of his campaign to grab a seat on Portland’s City Council.
By March 6th, Smith will be awarded $140,150 in public funds to run his campaign.
Smith hopes to fill position #1 which is being vacated by Commissioner Sam Adams (he’s running for mayor). Smith has been an ardent supporter of bicycle-friendly policies and he has a deep expertise in the field of transportation.
In addition to publishing PortlandTransport.com, Smith hosts the archives of the KBOO Bike Show and sits on many advisory boards and committees that focus on bike and traffic safety issues.
This City Council race is likely to be the most competitive in the May election. Smith is going up against Amanda Fritz, Charles Lewis, John Branam and Jeff Bissonnette.
I hope to interview all the contenders eventually and I’ll be doing a full election update soon.
For more background on Chris Smith, read my interview with him from back in September and check out all my Election 2008 coverage.
[Note: Upcoming election coverage will include an article on Nick Fish, who’s running against Jim Middaugh for the City Council seat vacated by Commissioner Erik Sten, and Rob Milesnick, who’s running for the Multnomah County Commission seat vacated by Lisa Naito. Stay tuned for those articles and more election coverage…]
Here’s the official release:
OFFICE OF CITY AUDITOR CITY OF PORTLAND
February 21, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chris Smith Certified
Today, the Auditor certified Chris Smith as a Campaign Finance Fund candidate for the May 20, 2008 Primary Election. Mr. Smith, candidate for Commissioner No. 1, achieved 1,145 verified qualifying contributions from Portland registered voters during the qualifying period. In addition, Mr. Smith has filed for office by perfected nominating petition. The Auditor has determined that Mr. Smith has complied with all applicable provisions of City Code Chapter 2.10.
Certified Candidates may only make expenditures from qualifying contributions, seed money contributions, in-kind contributions, and Campaign Finance Fund revenues during the primary election period. Candidates for Commissioner are limited to spending no more than $150,000 during the primary election period except for instances when matching funds apply.
Mr. Smith is eligible for $140,150 in public funds. This calculation is made by subtracting the $5,725 Mr. Smith collected in verified
qualifying contributions and the $4,125 Mr. Smith collected in seed money contributions from the $150,000 spending limit.The payment schedule to Mr. Smith’s principal campaign committee will be the following: $140,150 by March 6, 2008
All Campaign Finance Fund Certified Candidates are subject to limitations on the use of Campaign Finance Fund revenues in City Code Section 2.10.090 as well as all State campaign finance provisions.