Joah Spearman, an Austin City Council candidate for District 9, has issued the following press release:
This morning, I filed my campaign finance report.
The report should be available on the City site later today after being filed this morning. My previous report is located here.
As of this report, I have raised $68K for my campaign without support from a lone bundler or hosting a single $5K+ fundraiser. I had more than half that amount ($35K) of cash on hand as of June 30, as I've applied the same frugality to my campaign that I've mastered for years as an entrepreneur.
I believe this report continues to validate that I am the candidate in District 9 with the broadest and most diverse and inclusive support spanning community and business leaders, nonprofit executives, creative professionals and musicians. Throughout this time, I have prioritized authentic, grassroots outreach often having 25-30 1:1 meetings a week and attending or hosting several in-person, public events.
In the same 6 months, I've raised even more funds, nearly $85K, for other local causes, candidates and nonprofit solutions around housing, creativity and inclusivity including Project Transitions and ZACH Theatre.
I'm proud of the $68K I've raised for my campaign so far without high paid consultants, without seeking any endorsements from an incumbent on Council and without a single wealthy donor fundraising event raising over $5K. I'm even more proud of the nearly $85K I've raised for other local causes in the same timeframe.
District 9 is the front door to Austin, and fundraising is a key part of campaigning, but nothing is more important than making sure folks know they are going to be voting for a real problem solver and community leader, not another politician.