Baton Rouge mayoral candidate and former state senator Sharon Weston Broome has raised twice as much in campaign contributions since January as fellow mayoral candidate and Metro Councilman John Delgado.
According to campaign finance reports released Thursday, Broome raised $114,570.48 in contributions between Jan. 1 and May 2, and has $107,910.76 cash on hand. Delgado has raised $65,045, with $56,581 cash on hand.
“We have so much momentum right now. The early response makes it clear that we have the necessary resources to run a successful campaign,” Broome says in a statement. “We are building grassroots support with people joining our campaign from every demographic of our city.”
Sen. Bodi White, R-Central, who has not formally announced his candidacy but has been among the most prominent names mentioned as a possible contender, also filed a campaign finance report for the mayor’s race. He raised $26,500 during the reporting period, and has $46,769 cash on hand.
White has been coy when asked about his plans to run, but has said he will make a decision in the next couple of weeks. He could not be reached for comment as of this morning’s deadline.
White has spent nearly $8,300 on the race in the past three months, the report shows. Broome spent nearly $31,000 during the reporting period, while Delgado spent the most at nearly $35,000.
Delgado says he is happy with where he is as far as fundraising. He also says some of Broome’s supporters and backers are other politicians and political campaigns.
“All these other politicians are sending her money,” Delgado says. “She’s had 20-something years in the Legislature to curry favors with politicos and now they’re kicking her money.”
Two other announced candidates, former council members R. J. “Smokie” Bourgeois and Byron Sharper, did not file campaign finance reports.
—Stephanie Riegel
