Toledo Mayor Mike Bell outspent challenger Collins in raising funds but war chest almost depleted, reports show

10/24/2013

Councilman D. Michael Collins has raised $95,000 in his campaign to unseat incumbent Mayor Michael Bell, right.

Mayor Mike Bell spent more than four times as much as his opponent, D. Michael Collins, in the most recent campaign finance reporting period, but nearly depleted his campaign war chest in the process, according to his finance report filed today with the Lucas County Board of Elections.

Mr. Bell reported spending $178,312 in the period Aug. 22 through Oct. 16. Mr. Collins spent $37,310 in the same period.

Combined with the money he carried over from the previous report, that left Mr. Bell with $11,432 cash in his campaign account as of Oct. 16, compared with $59,391 for Mr. Collins.

Mr. Bell said he spent a lot of money for television advertising production and to buy time on television. He said he held a fund-raiser Wednesday night.

"We've done some buys and we still have active fund-raising going on. We still have more things happening," Mr. Bell said.

Mr. Bell's report shows he raised $73,845 in contributions during the period. The largest single chunk was a $15,000 check from the Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Collins's report, filed a day early on Wednesday, shows he raised $95,295 during the period.

Mr. Bell and Mr. Collins, both political independents, are the two candidates for mayor on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Mr. Bell has now raised $262,633 for his re-election effort, including the $52,837 he carried over from previous years. By comparison, Mr. Collins has raised $115,849, including the $4,698 he carried over from his council election campaign account. Mr. Bell has spent $251,274, compared to the $61,459 spent by Mr. Collins.

Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419--724-6058 or an Twitter @TomFTroy.