Friday, May. 09, 2008

Donations Back Candidates

By Nicholas Sakelaris

Staff Writer

View donations and expenditures for each candidate.

Candidates and political action committees have raised thousands of dollars to win your vote in the May 10 election.

The special election for civil service has stirred up the most controversy and the most donations.

The Southlake Citizens for Good Local Government, the group that opposes civil service, has reported more than $12,000 as of April 30, with contributions from several high-profile Southlake residents. The list includes a City Council member and her father, a local U.S. congressman and two spouses of council members. The committee also received a contribution from the mother of a teenager who was accused in one of the cases that was investigated by the Tarrant County district attorney.

Supporters of civil service, called Southlake Citizens for Professional Police and Fire, have raised far less, $4,200, with contributions from the Southlake Police Officers Association and the Southlake Firefighters Association.

The three-way race for Place 6 on the City Council has generated several thousands in donations as well.

Place 6 candidate Pamela Muller has raised the most — $10,000 — with contributions from more than 50 people, mostly Southlake residents. She has purchased everything from balloons to political signs and a Web site.

Place 6 candidate Suzanne Maisto has raised more than $3,600, which she used to buy balloons, political signs and mailers.

Place 6 candidate Ralph Williams has received two small contributions and is mostly funding the campaign himself. He has purchased advertising and political signs.

The reports were all filed between April 30 and May 2.