Big Money Limits on Campaign Donations in Portland, But Wheeler Has Massive Lead in Cash

Friday, February 19, 2016

GoLocalPDX News Team

Common Cause Oregon has come out praising the Portland mayoral candidates Ted Wheeler and Jules Bailey for limiting the influence of “Big Money” in the Mayor’s race.

The two candidates have raised the vast majority of the campaign donations in the race. Wheeler, the former banker and presently Oregon's Treasurer is dominating the fundraising — he has raised more than $420,000 to date.

In contrast, Commissioner Bailey has voluntarily limited all of donors to contributions of $250 or less. Bailey, taking a Bernie Sanders approach to fundraising, has not realized the same level of success as the Vermont Senator.

“We’re running a different kind of campaign for Mayor of Portland. We’re doing it the Portland way. That means no 4 and 5-figure checks from timber barons, polluters, and out-of-state special interests. I won’t take those checks and if one lands in our mailbox I’m ripping it up,” said Bailey.

Jules Bailey

For Bailey, he is lagging behind Wheeler’s massive campaign chest. Bailey has raise just over $40,000 to date.

Oregon is one of only 6 states that currently fails to place any limits on campaign contributions.

Wheeler Takes “People’s Pledge”

According to Common Cause, “Treasurer Wheeler has unilaterally signed a ‘People’s Pledge’ to discourage independent spending on his behalf or against his opponent Money spent independently of campaigns is generally the least accountable, and often most secretive money in campaigns.”

The ‘People’s Pledge’ is modeled on a agreement used in the 2012 Massachusetts Senate Election between now Senator Elizabeth Warren and former Senator Scott Brown. Although outside third party organizations did not spend in the race - the Warren-Brown race was one of the most expensive in history, costing more than $81 million. The Brookings Institute reports that the Warren-Brown race averaged over $17 per vote.

Ted Wheeler

“Wheeler commits that if any third party committee or organization spends money for advertising on his behalf or against his opponent, his campaign will donate 50% of that ad’s cost to a local charity," said Common Cause. “Both steps show real leadership in getting big money out of the democratic process.”

A third candidate and late comer Sarah Iannarone said Wednesday that she's raised $20,000, according to the Oregonian.

Related Slideshow: SLIDESHOW: Ted Wheeler Announces Portland Mayoral Candidacy on Rooftop of Revolution Hall

Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler was joined by the press and many close friends, family members, and supporters on the rooftop of Revolution Hall off of SE Stark so that he could officially make his candidacy announcement for Portland mayor in the 2016 mayoral race.

Big Money Limits on Campaign Donations in Portland, But Wheeler Has Massive Lead in Cash

Related Slideshow: SLIDESHOW: Ted Wheeler Announces Portland Mayoral Candidacy on Rooftop of Revolution Hall

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