Adler, others loan campaigns money

All 78 candidates for the Austin City Council are required to turn in their most recent contribution and expenditure reports today. While certainly not definitive in winning an election, money does still make a difference. Exactly how much difference will not be clear until after the November election and possibly, the Dec. 16 runoff. Last week, mayoral candidate Steve Adler revealed that he loaned his campaign $102,000 in September. Adler had previously loaned his campaign $194,000, bringing the total he has invested in the campaign to $296,000. In contrast, Council Member Mike Martinez has loaned his campaign only $25,000 and Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole has not made any loans to her campaign, although she and her husband contributed $700 this summer. District 5 candidate Ann Kitchen loaned her campaign $17,500 on Sept. 25, bringing her loan total to $38,200. District 6 candidate Jay Wiley last week reported loaning his campaign $14,000, for a total of just over $25,000. District 7 candidate Leslie Pool reported loaning her campaign a total of $40,000 in September. Council Member Chris Riley has loaned his campaign $25,000 and opponent Council Member Kathie Tovo had already loaned her campaign about $40,000. Both are running for the District 9 seat. Mandy Dealey, who is running in District 10, loaned her campaign $25,100. Dealey, Robert Thomas and Sherri Gallo will likely fight it out on Election Day to see who will be in a December runoff. Gallo has not reported any loans but Thomas has reported loans totaling around $41,000.