BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Record amounts of money are pouring into the Burlington mayor’s race. One week before Election Day, new financial reports show the candidates have raised the most of any Burlington mayoral election.
This race is the first time in 12 years there has been an open mayor’s seat in Burlington.
Democrat Joan Shannon and Progressive Emma Mulvaney-Stanak have brought in more than $250,000 altogether. Shannon has raised nearly $155,000 from 759 contributors. Mulvaney-Stanak is at nearly $99,000 from 678 contributors.
In the most recent reporting period, Mulvaney-Stanak outraised Shannon, but after a late plea to supporters, Shannon says she has now closed that gap completely.
Experts say the reason so much money is coming into the race is the issues on the table.
“People get interested when issues of major concern are on the table. And I think certainly public safety issues, also like housing, issues like local public health issues, those are resonating with voters right now. And people care about it, and that’s why they’re engaging,” said Bert Johnson, a Middlebury College political scientist.
Both candidates have spent about 60% of their money. The biggest expenses have been mass media, including mailings to voters.
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