Political campaigns today can seem more like advertising strategies or celebrity news reports than opportunities for candidates to share their platforms.
But this year, while a hotly contested presidential race has grabbed the nation’s attention, some local campaigns are taking drastic measures to get noticed.
Local candidates generally agree that spending $100,000 will make a candidate viable.
“It’s pretty much the guideline. If you don’t raise this kind of money, you’re not competitive,” said Phyllis Barkhurst, campaign manager for Rob Handy, a county commissioner hopeful who has almost reached the $100,000 mark, according to the most recent figures from the Secretary of State’s Office.
Former Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey is currently running against incumbent Kitty Piercy. So far he has spent more than $240,000 to win a position that has an annual salary of less than $20,000.
Finding the funds to run
May 19, 2008
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