Money in Local Elections

Before completely moving on to other matters in our lives, it is appropriate to take a moment to reflect and learn what we can from the just completed Johns Creek elections.  In a city with 39,642 active registered voters, only about 6,400, or 16%, saw the need and importance of selecting the mayor and council members to lead their city.  I, personally, am disappointed that through my candidacy, I was not able to encourage more citizens of Johns Creek to take an interest and participate in the election.

Why did 22,000 Johns Creek voters who only a year ago voted in the presidential election choose not to vote in this local election? Did the candidates not speak to issues of importance to the residents?  Are the voters unaware that the city is responsible for decisions involving zoning, traffic, parks, infrastructure maintenance, and safety that affect their daily lives?  Are the voters simply not interested in who determines how carefully and for what purposes approximately $2,200 per household is spent each year?

It was certainly not for lack of campaign spending that voters did not vote.  I am not against candidates spending all the money they believe is appropriate to get elected, but following are some interesting facts on campaign spending and fundraising of which voters should be aware.  The numbers are through October 25th, and undoubtedly much more spending and fundraising was done up to Election Day on November 5th.

In the mayoral race, Mike Bodker spent $52,872.07 versus Bev Miller who spent $6,786.54 on her campaign.  Mike Bodker raised $74,3355.30 in contributions, including a $2,500 contribution from candidate Cori Davenport.  Most of his contributions were small and not associated with any companies holding contracts with the city of Johns Creek.  In contrast, Bev Miller’s campaign contributions came to a total of $11,189.  Of this amount, $5,000 came from Bev herself, and others contributed $6,189.  Of the $6,189, $1,100, or 18% came from owners and managers of Optech, a company with very large contracts with the city of Johns Creek.

In the race for Post 1, Lenny Zaprowski reported expenditures of $14,152.16 and campaign contributions of $9,775.  Of the $9,775, $2,500, or 26% was from candidate Cori Davenport.  Incumbent Randall Johnson reported spending $7,988.66 and raising $9,865.80 in contributions.  Of the $9,865.80 in contributions, $5,800 or 59% came from three contributors.  $2,500 from Courier Connections, $2,000 from Riley McLendon – the firm of city lawyer Bill Riley, and $1,300 from owners and managers of Optech – a company with large contracts with the city of Johns Creek.

In the race for Post 3, Cori Davenport reported expenditures of $38,647.48 and campaign donations of $41,190.  Of the $41,190, $27,590 was from Cori and $13,600 from others.  Of the $13,600, $10,300 or 76% came from six donors.  Karen Richardson reported expenditures of $10,522.19 and contributions of $12,813.19.  Of the $12,813.19, $8,614.19 were contributed by Karen herself and $4,199 were contributed by others.  Of the $4,199 contributed by others, $3,100, or 74% were from two sources with contracts with the city of Johns Creek; $2,000 from Riley McLendon- the city lawyer Bill Riley’s firm, and $1,100 from owners and managers of Optech – a company with large contracts with the city of Johns Creek.  I spent $3,257.32 on my campaign and was completely self-funded.  I did not accept campaign contributions in order not to build up any obligations to others.

In the race for Post 5, Kelly Stewart spent $2,800.  She was completely self-funded.  As a point of comparison, Kelly Stewart spent $61,510.27 on her initial campaign for city council and was self-funded.  Brad Raffensperger spent $70,614.50 on his initial election to city council and funded $66,064 of that amount himself.

Some interesting expenditures reported by the candidates include $2,000 for a facebook campaign, $5,000 for website fees, $4,400 as a typical cost for a mailer, $5,000 in political consultant fees, $3,800 for campaign signs, and $2,600 for a fundraising banquet at the Atlanta Athletic Club.  Councilman Raffensperger spent $1,926 on a fundraiser for Bev Miller, Randall Johnson, and Karen Richardson.

So what should we learn from all of the above? 

Spending collectively over $140,000 and still counting on campaigns focused on 6,400 voters is not a successful approach to building a wide base of support for our city government in a city with over 80,000 residents.  All council members and candidates for city council need to find ways to engage more of the community in the election process.  We need more community groups to sponsor events, like the PTSA, the residents of Brumbelow Road, and Concerned Citizens at Perimeter Church did, to reach out to the candidates with their concerns and increase the motivation of their membership to participate in city government.

City Council needs to take action to prohibit campaign contributions to council members from companies and contractors that work for the city.  Council members may be of the highest integrity, but any perception by a member of the community of a possible conflict of interest by council members responsible for selection and oversight of contracts with the city must be avoided.

There will be another city election to fill City Council Post 6.  Now is the time for possible candidates to start engaging with community groups to ensure much wider participation in that election come Spring.