There’s been some interesting discussion and theories floated on Madison’s AM radio and a local online political forum filled with anonymous self-anointed political pundits about the success I’ve had attracting funding for my campaign from the many people I’ve met over the years. The campaign finance report that all candidates file lacks space for fully understanding who the contributors are and how I came to know them and earn their support. So, to help everyone understand who my early supporters truly are, below is a list of every contribution made to my campaign prior to Jan 1, 2007 and how I know them. As soon as we have all the information set on the contributions I received in January 2007 (which will be reported on the next report, due on Monday at the City Clerk’s office) we’ll add that information.

I’m very proud of the relationships I’ve developed over the years and thrilled that these generous friends, family members, colleagues and neighborhood activists believe in me enough to contribute to my campaign.

It can be hard to get enough information to the residents of District 12 such that they feel they are fully informed about me, my positions, my experience and my desire to serve our neighbors. The money I’ve raised goes toward printing neighborhood newsletter ads, yard signs, and informational fliers that I carry door to door, are distributed by numerous volunteers, and mailed to residents in the district. More funds mean more information and that helps voters get informed. I’m proud that the combination of financial and volunteer support my campaign has means we have been able to get a lot of information out in the primary and can do so again in the general election.

As always, I welcome questions, suggestions and other thoughts you might have.

What you’ll find in the list below, documenting the early stages of the fundraising in my campaign is that:

• 168 different people made contributions totaling $8505.94 as of Dec. 31, 2006, for an average of $50.63.
• 100 of those contributors are from the Madison area. They gave a total of $4,270.94, averaging $42.71 each.
• 22 of those contributors are from District 12. They gave a total of $752.65, or an average of $34.21.
• I am not accepting money from Political Action Committees (PACs), political parties, the campaign committees of other candidates, or conduits (which bundle contributions from people with a particular political interest).
• The official campaign finance report is at the City Clerk’s web site and show these contributions, plus how I spent money on the campaign as of Dec. 31, 2006. Find it at http://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/CampFin/2007/Rhodes1.pdf
• You can find the campaign finance reports for each of my opponents at http://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/CampFin/2007/Index.cfm