Government
BY BEN THOMPSON
Austin council candidates raised $1.37M this year, led by Watson
Candidates for Austin mayor and City Council districts 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10 raised at least $1.37 million for their campaigns so far this year. Candidates’ financials reported July 15 covered the first half of 2024. All council hopefuls must file to run by Aug. 19, and the next look at their campaign finances will come in October. The overview Incumbent Mayor Kirk Watson raised $710,000 in 2024, well ahead of challenger Doug Greco’s $88,300, Carmen Llanes Pulido’s $71,000 and Kathie Tovo’s $57,500 in contributions. Incumbent Southeast Austin District 2 council member Vanessa Fuentes had no declared oppo- nents as of July and raised almost $57,000. North Central Austin District 4 incumbent Chito Vela raised almost $24,000; a report on his opponent Monica Guzmán wasn’t available as of press time. The race to succeed Leslie Pool in North Central Austin District 7 has six contenders, and attorney
Campaign finances for mayoral candidates, January-June 2024 Donations Spending Cash on hand Outstanding loans
Kathie Tovo
Carmen Llanes Pulido
Doug Greco
$88,334
$71,007
$57,457 $44,044 $39,547
$29,219
$76,823
$52,219.86
$8,579
$181,807
$0
$20,000
Kirk Watson*
$710,580
$166,388
$512,686
$0
*INCUMBENT
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Mike Siegel led with more then $44,500 raised this year. Next-highest was Adam Powell, who drew more than $32,000. In West Austin, two District 10 contenders Ashika Ganguly and Marc Duchen posted similar totals. Ganguly brought in more
than $41,000 against Duchen’s $36,000 this year. Northwest Austin’s District 6 incumbent Mack- enzie Kelly nearly doubled her opponent Krista Laine’s contributions, with more than $122,000 donated to Laine’s $66,500.
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