Advisers to the mayor say Landrieu will ramp up his fundraising even more as the election draws near.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu began the year with a campaign war chest of more than $500,000, putting him on pace to have more than $1 million in the bank when, as expected, he asks voters for a second term in February 2014. After ending 2010 with about $234,000 on hand and listing $204,000 in expenditures in 2011, Landrieu reported a balance of $513,000 as of Dec. 31, according to finance reports filed with the state.
View full sizeMitch Landrieu and his wife, Cheryl, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans on the night of his first mayoral victory, Feb. 6 2010. Landrieu, who took in more than $250,000 for his campaign fund in 2010, stepped up his fundraising last year, collecting $482,000 from donors, the filing shows.
Wednesday marked the midpoint of Landrieu's four-year term. While he is considered a heavy favorite to win re-election, it is not unusual for an incumbent mayor to continue to raise money to discourage potential opposition.
Advisers to the mayor say Landrieu will ramp up his fundraising even more as the election draws near, and they expect him to have more than $1.5 million in hand by December 2013, when candidates will qualify for the 2014 election.
More than 300 donors gave money to the Landrieu campaign last year. Thirteen of them contributed the maximum $5,000, including Alamo Services, a local firm that provides event and convention security; Archon Information Systems, a delinquent-taxes collection firm; engineering consultant Walter Baudier; Dr. Juan Gershanik; businesswoman and education reform leader Leslie Jacobs; Shaw Environmental; Helis Oil & Gas Co.; and Threefold Consultants, an architectural and engineering firm.
Among Landrieu's $2,500 donors were political consultant James Carville; former state Sen. Joel Chaisson; Festival Productions, the local company that stages the Jazz Fest; Integrated Logistical Support Inc., a consulting firm owned by businessman Robert Tucker; City Planning Commissioner Lynes "Poco" Sloss; and Veolia Transportation, which runs the city's transit system.
Additional $2,500 contributions came from former City Attorney and current City Council consultant William Aaron, the Adams & Reese law firm, banker Alden McDonald, Boh Bros. Construction Co., Darryl Berger Investments, lawyers Ralph Capitelli and Randall Smith, and architect Ray Manning.
Among Landrieu's $1,000 donors were former Saints quarterback Archie Manning; actress Patricia Clarkson, the daughter of City Council President Jackie Clarkson; union leader Peter Babin; Entergy Corp. Chief Administrative Officer Rod West; lawyer Henry Braden; Commander's Palace restaurant; and former Lt. Gov. James Fitzmorris.
Among his expenses, Landrieu listed some $1,000 contributions to fellow Democrats, including state Sens. J.P Morrell of New Orleans and Lydia Jackson of Shreveport; U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida; and the Louisiana Democratic Party. He also gave $1,000 to the United Negro College Fund.
Big-ticket billings in Landrieu's report included $46,000 to the Washington, D.C., firm Gerstein/Agne Strategic Communications for polling; $24.000 to Kullman Consulting for fundraising consulting; and $20,834 to Gauthier, Houghtaling & Williams of Metairie for fundraising services.
Landrieu also spent $20,275 last year to stage a holiday party for supporters at City Park, and paid $13,771 to Erin Mosley for political consulting. Mosley now works on the mayor's staff as his scheduler.