An early projection of contributions raised by Muriel Bowser’s campaign in the race for the Ward 4 Council seat likely is to place her at the lead in a crowded pack of candidates vying for the seat.
Bowser, an Advisory Neighborhood Commission member, had raised a total of about $190,000 for her campaign since she announced her candidacy in early January, she said Wednesday. She said she had about $150,000 left on hand.
The first campaign finance reports for the special election planned for May 1 were due at midnight Wednesday.
Bowser is one of 21 people from Ward 4 who picked up petitions with the intent of vying for the seat, which was vacated by Mayor Adrian Fenty. Bowser, whose closest and most vocal competitor is expected to be Michael Brown, has been endorsed by Fenty and has benefited from having the mayor appear at several fundraisers in her honor this month.
Brown dropped out of the D.C. mayoral race days before the September primary and threw his support to Linda Cropp, former D.C. Council chair who lost to Fenty.
“We have people across the ward who have been very supportive of what my vision is for Ward 4,” Bowser said.
Brown’s campaign had raised about $35,000 since it was announced Jan. 9. It had about $27,000 left on hand, Treasurer Amy Bellanca said Wednesday.
To have their candidacies considered valid, petitioners must get 500 signatures from registered voters in their wards. People seeking election to the School Board must have 200 signatures. Petitions must be returned by Feb.21.
