OGDEN -- Mayoral candidate Mike Caldwell continues to outpace his opponent Brandon Stephenson in campaign contributions, raising four times more money during a recent 28-day reporting period.
The reports filed this week with the Ogden City Recorder's Office track campaign contributions and expenditures from Oct. 1-Oct. 29.
During that period Caldwell raised $13,410 compared to $5,483 for Stephenson.
Caldwell said Thursday the contributions from more than 40 donors demonstrate broad-based support for his campaign.
"It's not just the (dollar) figure (that's significant), it's the number of people who contributed," he said. "One of our key goals was to get a lot of people engaged and I think it reflects that."
Among Caldwell's largest donors were R&O Construction in Ogden, which gave $2,500. Ogden City Plaza Investors, based in Salt Lake City, and Layton businessman Kevin Garn each contributed $1,000.
Ogden City Plaza Investors is a downtown real estate holding company and Garn is the owner of the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel being built at The Junction complex.
Caldwell carried over $18,700 from the previous reporting period and spent $13,103 during the most recent reporting period, leaving about $19,007 in cash on hand, according to his report.
Much of Caldwell's expenditures were for printing services, T-shirts and an election night party.
Stephenson, who received contributions from a dozen donors, said he's content with his campaign funds. "It's sufficient to get the job done," he said. "It's a grassroots campaign. I haven't hired campaign staff. It's been all volunteers."
FMC Expansion, L.C. based in Salt Lake City, an entity of the Boyer Co. which manages Business Depot Ogden, and Boman Kemp Inc., based in Ogden, each gave $1,000 to Stephenson's campaign.
FMC has had a long relationship with Stephenson through the city council, which prompted the campaign donation, said Steve Waldrip, a manager with Boyer.
Stephenson carried forward $2,069 in contributions and spent $2,555 during the latest reporting period, leaving a balance of roughly $4,997 in his campaign war chest. His most recent campaign expenditures were primarily for campaign signs and printing supplies.
Incumbent At-Large Seat C City Councilwoman Amy Wicks had $409 in carry over funds, raised $380 and spent $434 during the reporting period. The largest single contribution she received was $200. Wicks could not be reached for comment regarding her campaign funds
Stephen D. Thompson, Wicks' opponent, received $100 from John Rambo of Ogden, had $196 in carryover funds and no expenditures.
Thompson said he's satisfied with his campaign contributions.
"It's enough to run an adequate campaign," he said. "It would have been nice to do some of the other things I wanted to do but it has to be kept realistic."
Rick Safsten, a former city council member who is a write-in candidate for At-Large Seat C, had $3,005 in carryover funds, raised $7,240 in the latest reporting period and spent $9,937.
Frank Browning and John Gullo of Ogden each contributed $1,500 to Safsten. Most of his expenditures were for campaign signs and consulting fees.
Safsten said he plans to spend every dollar contributed to his campaign.
"Being a write-in, I have to reach out and touch every voter," he said.
In the 2nd Ward city council race, Richard Hyer carried over a deficit of $2,113, raised $2,525 during the recent reporting period and had no expenditures.
The Northern Wasatch Association of Realtors gave $1,500 and the Wadman Foundation contributed $1,000.
Hyer said he's pleased with the large donations. "It was very helpful," he said. "The Northern Wasatch Association of Realtors gave some input in areas the city could be a little bit more service oriented."
Hyer's opponent, Jennifer Neil, carried over $263, raised $520 during the reporting period and spent $922.
Ogden resident Robert Garner gave $200 and was her largest donor. Her expenditures were for printing services.
Neil said she has received several additional contributions since filing her finance report and expects to erase her campaign funding deficit.
"I'm probably going to break even at least," she said.
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