Seiler vs. Hutchinson....The Money Game
Follow the money. It's usually good advice, and in the current Fort Lauderdale Mayoral race, it's most interesting.
The two candidates that are raising real money are City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson and State Representative Jack Seiler. There is another announced candidate, Steve Rossi, and speculation still abounds on other possible entries, but Seiler and Hutchinson are raising all the money, and definitely have a good head start.
Jack Cindi
Fort Lauderdale adopted a very progressive Campaign Finance Reform program a few years back. It makes it easier to follow the money. In the old days, Fat Cats used corporate names to hide great amounts of donations. Now, big donations can only come from real people, with their names and occupations attached. The new law also reduced the maximum donation to $250. Previously it was $500.
Comparing the two candidates' reports shows patterns developing. First, there are few small donations. Seems those able to contribute the maximum are the only ones interested at this point. Seiler is mostly raising money from fellow attorneys, and Tallahassee contacts. Hutchinson is raising money from those she has come in contact with during her Commissioner career. Here is a representative sample of their reports.
Fat Cat Donors
Jack's Attorneys Cindi's Developers
Les Stracher - Atty. $250 Kevin Buckley - Dev. $250
Stuart Rosenfeldt - Atty. $250 Jack Loos - Dev. $250
Russ Adler - Atty. $250 Jim Ellis - Dev. $250
Steve Lippman - Atty. $250 Charlie Ladd - Dev. $250
Grant Smith - Atty. $250 Doug Eagon - Dev. $250
Carl Linder - Atty. $250 Terry Stiles - Dev. $250
Russ Klenet - Atty. $250 Peter Feldman - Dev. $250
Lawrence Smith - Atty. $250 Richard Zipes - Dev. $250
Matthew Morral - Atty. $250 Robert Lochrie - Dev.'s Atty $250
Jim Scott - Atty. $250 Coutney Crush - Dev.'s Atty $250
Ron Book - Atty. $250 Gerald Knight - Dev.'s Atty. $250
Hutchinson is ahead in the money race, with about $27,000. Seiler, who announced his candidacy months after Hutchinson, has about $12,000. The election is next March. Many people that are watching the race suspect both candidates might raise as much as $100,000. Are their really that many attorneys and developers around?
The two candidates that are raising real money are City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson and State Representative Jack Seiler. There is another announced candidate, Steve Rossi, and speculation still abounds on other possible entries, but Seiler and Hutchinson are raising all the money, and definitely have a good head start.
Jack Cindi
Fort Lauderdale adopted a very progressive Campaign Finance Reform program a few years back. It makes it easier to follow the money. In the old days, Fat Cats used corporate names to hide great amounts of donations. Now, big donations can only come from real people, with their names and occupations attached. The new law also reduced the maximum donation to $250. Previously it was $500.
Comparing the two candidates' reports shows patterns developing. First, there are few small donations. Seems those able to contribute the maximum are the only ones interested at this point. Seiler is mostly raising money from fellow attorneys, and Tallahassee contacts. Hutchinson is raising money from those she has come in contact with during her Commissioner career. Here is a representative sample of their reports.
Fat Cat Donors
Jack's Attorneys Cindi's Developers
Les Stracher - Atty. $250 Kevin Buckley - Dev. $250
Stuart Rosenfeldt - Atty. $250 Jack Loos - Dev. $250
Russ Adler - Atty. $250 Jim Ellis - Dev. $250
Steve Lippman - Atty. $250 Charlie Ladd - Dev. $250
Grant Smith - Atty. $250 Doug Eagon - Dev. $250
Carl Linder - Atty. $250 Terry Stiles - Dev. $250
Russ Klenet - Atty. $250 Peter Feldman - Dev. $250
Lawrence Smith - Atty. $250 Richard Zipes - Dev. $250
Matthew Morral - Atty. $250 Robert Lochrie - Dev.'s Atty $250
Jim Scott - Atty. $250 Coutney Crush - Dev.'s Atty $250
Ron Book - Atty. $250 Gerald Knight - Dev.'s Atty. $250
Hutchinson is ahead in the money race, with about $27,000. Seiler, who announced his candidacy months after Hutchinson, has about $12,000. The election is next March. Many people that are watching the race suspect both candidates might raise as much as $100,000. Are their really that many attorneys and developers around?
My money is on Jack!
Wonder how many of these developers Cindi promised some type of pay back too?
Jack will get his donations the Honest way from ones that believe in him!
Reply to this
I agree with the above-post. I'd bet on Jack, and he'll be getting my check shortly. I wonder about the promises and backroom deals that Cindi is making with these developers.
Reply to this
There are too many lawyers and developers with significant influence in Ft. Lauderdale politics. Unfortunately there are plenty more who will buy their influence soon enough.
Reply to this
The article leaves one wondering where does average Joe fit into their agenda after doing favors for the big-wigs with the big donations........
Reply to this
Amen. At least average Joe can still vote. Hopefully we will see higher turnouts than we did during the Naugle era.
Reply to this
HONEST?????? Lawyers,lobbyists!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply to this
Money has it place but its still the people who will vote. You will see with Cindi she will shake down anyone and everyone doing business with the city but wont come close on election day because there is no comparison when you put Jack and Cindi side by side before the people.
Reply to this
Dear 851 you could not have said it any better! Amen....
Reply to this