PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Campaign finance reports from Philadelphia’s mayoral race show two clear winners in the fundraising arena, and it may be no surprise they are the wealthiest candidates in the race. The two candidates raised $2 million or more in campaign funds in the last three months.
Reports show real estate magnate and former city council member Allan Domb raised $2.6 million from January through March which, combined with the $5 million he loaned his campaign last year, gave him by far the biggest war chest.
"I’m very pleased," Domb said. "Always need more, but I’m very pleased."
Domb was also the biggest spender, pouring millions into TV and radio ads. Still, he has $1.7 million dollars on hand, entering the final stretch to the May 16 primary.
Grocer Jeff Brown raised nearly $2 million in the first quarter. That includes an $800,000 loan to himself.
"I think we’re doing really well and you can tell by the number of people that are attacking me," Brown said.
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"I’m committed to being competitively financed, and I’m willing to contribute or lend to make sure every citizen knows what I want to do to turn the city around."
Brown has spent nearly everything he raised, outside of the loan, so three other candidates actually have more cash on hand. Helen Gym has $1.4 million to spend, after raising $762,000. Rebecca Rhynhart raised $642,000, mostly from individual donors, while Cherelle Parker also raised more than $600,000, more than half from unions in the construction trades council.
Maria Quinones-Sanchez and Derek Green each raised about $200,000.
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Domb says the large field makes it tough.
"It’s difficult for the people out in the public to figure out who they should donate to. It’s a lot of people and I think that’s holding people back."
The four other candidates missed the deadline to file their reports.