BY DAVE PARRO
Since forming his campaign committee in May 2003, Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner has accepted almost half a million dollars in political contributions. In the six-month reporting period that ended Dec. 31, 2006, his fund-raising machine was still going strong, bringing in almost $42,000 midterm.
But in his latest semiannual report filed this week, Weisner reports ZERO contributions. He still has more than $40,000 in the bank, but it's curious that he didn't report any new cash. Does this mean Weisner doesn't plan to run for re-election in 2009?
A politician planning to hang around for awhile doesn't suddenly stop accepting contributions. In the second half of 2006, Weisner raised a relatively healthy amount, indicating he still has a broad base of support. Here's a look at his fund-raising track record (excluding loans and short-term CDs):
1/1/2003 to 6/30/2003: $19,935
7/1/2003 to 12/31/2003: $43,152
1/1/2004 to 6/30/2004: $43,694
7/1/2004 to 12/31/2004: $59,360
1/1/2005 to 6/30/2005: $198,055
7/1/2005 to 12/31/2005: $50,025
1/1/2006 to 6/30/2006: $37,370
7/1/2006 to 12/31/2006: $41,800
1/1/2007 to 6/30/2007: $0
Why the sudden dropoff? City spokesman Carie Anne Ergo says Weisner didn't hold any fund-raisers in the first half of 2007 because he wanted to get out of the way while other city elections (aldermanic races) were going on. She said he plans to hold a big fund-raiser in August and that we should draw our own conclusions from that about his re-election plans.
Obviously that means Weisner plans to run for a second term. But his latest campaign-finance numbers are perplexing.
Why is a city spokesman commenting on a political issue? Ms. Ergo does not work for the Weisner campaign, but rather for the taxpayer. She should have referred that question to the Weisner camp. Bad form!!
Carrie Anne Ergo is a employed by the City of Aurora not Friends of Tom Weisner. She should not be commenting on the Mayor re-election.
What is a Carrie Anne Ergo? Where doo they come from?