$169,889.20 in bad news for affordable housing and democracy

Why are the realtors spending 10.5 times more money in City of Madison Common Council races than the potential alders are?What are they hoping to buy?  Candidates in these races have only spent $16,098.55 as of the last reports combined.  Maybe candidates no longer need to raise money and the Realtors can just run their races?

Former Alder Andy Heidt is fond of calling the City Council nothing more than a Real Estate Advisory Board, seems like the Realtors Association agrees. Developments mean more houses or condos to sell or apartments to rent or manage.  Money, money, money.  Praise capitalism.  Buy democracy . . . everything is for sale!

What’s also odd is their support is all over the political spectrum and in some races that aren’t even competitive, where the candidates themselves are spending minuscule amounts of money compared to their opponents or where their opponents haven’t spent any money a all.  Are they just betting on the winners in some cases?  Or are there projects in these districts that they want to pass?  And why aren’t they spending money in some races where the candidates are clearly in their corner – perhaps they will weigh in at the last moment and aren’t done spending yet?

Note:  For the candidates spending is under reported, but won’t near what the Realtors are spending.  I looked at the only reports available which are will be the last report filed with the clerks office that was available on the website.  Some were pre-primary reports (spending through Feb 6), others were reports filed in January (reporting July 1 – Dec 31).  The next candidate reports are due March 27 (spending through March 20), after many have already early voted.  For context, competitive races in Madison are spending $6,000 – $15,000 per race.

District 3 – Derek Field vs Matt VanEperen

The Realtors fund has spent 17 times what Derek Fields has spent on their own campaign against a candidate who spent so little they don’t need to report. And the opponent Matt VanEperen in the race is spending so little money they aren’t even required to report, they filed a state of no activity.  What in the world are the realtors buying in this race?  It makes sense that the realtors would be interested in District 3 as its on the edge of town where there is more development.

• Realtors – $18,484.16
• Derek Field (supported by Realtors) – spent $1,103.38, raised $3,545.00
• Matt VanEperen – filed no activity

District 4 – Mike Verveer vs. Max Laubenstein

The realtors have spent 40 times the two candidate together.  They backed Mike
Verveer in this race who has over $18,000 banked in his account.  Makes sense that the Realtors are interested in downtown races given all the development that happens here.

• Realtors – $20,000
• Mike Verveer (Supported by Realtors)- spent 233.11, raised $9,077.67
• Max Laubenstein – spent 263.44, raised $1,181

District 6 – Marsha Rummel vs. Davy Mayer

The realtors have spent 1,189 times what Davy Mayer has spent in his own race, 33 times what the two candidates have spent in this race.  Makes sense that the Realtors are interested in downtown races given all the development that happens here.particularly now that District 6 is both sides of East Washington Ave.

• Realtors – $20,000
• Davy Mayer (Supported by Realtors)- spent $16.81, raised $425
• Marsha Rummel – Spent $587.99, raised $3,235.76

District 9 – Nikki Conklin vs Nino Amato

Only 5 times as much as the candidate!  Only . . .  Makes sense, again, a district with lots of development.

• Realtors – $8,940
• Nikki Conklin (Supported by Realtors) – spent $1,761.25, raised $3,940
• Nino Amato – spent $8,798.70, raised $3,657 (<- that’s not a typo)

District 12 – Julia Matthews vs. Amani Latimer Burris

65 times the reported spending  . . . think development around the Oscar Mayer property . . . .of course the realtors are interested.

• Realtors – $20,463.28
• Julia Matthews (Supported by Realtors) – spent $311.87, raised $1,580
• Amani Latimer Burris – no reports?

District 15 – Brad Hinkfuss vs. Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford

The candidate the realtors are supporting has spent $0.  Realtors spent 298 times what the candidates have.  Think voit farm . . .

• Realtors – $20,000
• Brad Hinkfuss (Supported by Realtors) – spent $0, raised $1,000
• Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford – spent $66.96, raised $342.16

District 16 – Jael Currie vs Kim Richman

Realtors spend 196 times the candidate they support, opponent spent $0.  Another periphery district with development potential.

• Realtors – $21,941.58
• Jael Currie (Supported by Realtors) – spent $111.75, raised $724.81
• Kim Richman – statement of no activity

District 18 – Charles Myadze vs Michelle Ellinger Linley

Realtors spent 56 times what the candidate they are supporting spent. 

• Realtors – $20,000
• Charles Myadze (Supported by Realtors) – spent $357.01, raised $4,835
• Michelle Ellinger Linley – spent $1,443.83, raised $3,726

District 19 – John Guequierre vs. Kristen Slack

Realtors spending in another race where the opponent spent $0.  19 times what the candidate has spent.

• Realtors – $20,000
• John Guequierre (Supported by Realtors) – $1,042.45 spent, $3,790 raised
• Kristen Slack – statement of no activity