PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Candidates in Philadelphia’s mayor’s race filed campaign finance reports for 2022, this week, and they show extremely lopsided fundraising.
One candidate, Allan Domb, has more than $5 million in his campaign war chest — more than five times as much as any other candidate. But he has contributed most of that money himself.
As a City Council member, Domb used to donate his entire salary to Philadelphia public schools, a sign that — as a real estate tycoon — he didn’t need the money. Here’s another sign: New campaign finance reports show he loaned his campaign more than $5 million.
That puts him so far ahead in fund-raising that it could be seen as the kind of move a gambler makes in poker to get the other players to fold.
Supermarket magnate Jeff Brown contributed a modest-by-comparison $240,000. Former Councilmember Helen Gym gave herself $25,000.
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Gym and Brown also brought in the most from outside donors. Each raised about $850,000. Former Controller Rebecca Rhynhart is right behind them with $825,000 raised. Domb raised about $700,000 from other donors.
Former Council members Derek Green, Maria Quiñones Sánchez and Cherelle Parker have each raised about a half-million so far. State Rep. Amen Brown — a late entry — has raised $3,500.
The candidates have collectively raised under $10 million, though that’s likely to increase quickly, as will spending, as the May primary gets closer.
Past mayoral elections have shown fundraising does not equal victory. 2015 was the most expensive mayoral race in the city’s history. It also had the lowest turnout of any race.