Kelty Keeps Pace with Peters in Fundraising

Peters Says “Fort Wayne First” but Campaign Report Proves Otherwise

Matt has proven to be a viable candidate and one the local constituents support - the proof is in the numbers.

Fort Wayne, IN., April 23, 2007 – Conservative Republican mayoral candidate Matt Kelty today announced that he has raised a total of $254,278.73 in campaign contributions since the start of his campaign in October 2006, while his primary opponent, Nelson Peters has raised $280,409.03 in that same time, a difference of only $26,130.30 in Peters’ favor. Much of the difference has been made up by the Kelty campaign in the week following the filing deadline.

“I think we are keeping pace with the establishment candidate in total fundraising”, said Kelty. “We are doing more with less, and efficiently leveraging the resources we have to directly appeal to individual voters, asking them to vote for a new direction for the city. We have the momentum, and a very broad base of support from ordinary citizens versus political insiders, influence from Indianapolis and out of State, and special interests doing business with the city and county. We will continue to work hard to win the hearts of the undecided voters.”

I’m part of the “on the street” campaign Matt and his leadership have brought together. Unlike Mr. Peters who is hinging his hopes on the country club/Sycamore Hills Republican base, Matt has the support of the everyday citizen of Fort Wayne.

Campaign finance reports released Friday, April 19, 2007 showed the Peters campaign had raised $149,182. 84 since the beginning of the year through April 13, 2007, and Kelty raised $85,532.20 in that same period. Peters showed only nine in-kind contributions totaling $14,730.75, a large portion from members of the Helmke, Beams, LLP law firm where Peters has set up his campaign offices. Kelty, on the other hand, received $22,376.57 in in-kind contributions during this reporting period from seventeen sources, demonstrating his widespread appeal and ability to get citizens involved in his campaign with their personal time and resources. In addition, all Kelty’s spending has been with Fort Wayne vendors and businesses, while the Peters campaign has sent hundreds of thousands of dollars outside the city and county to companies in other states for campaign support.

Peters had 244 total contributors to his campaign in the last reporting period made up of 153 individual contributors, 39 companies, 21 political action committees, and 31 other organizations. Of the 244 total contributors, 80 or 33% were from outside Fort Wayne, 10% of the 80 contributors from outside the city were from outside the State of Indiana. Of the 80 contributors from outside of Fort Wayne, 50% or 40 were from Indianapolis. Of the $149,182.84 in contributions raised by Peters in the last period, 42% or $63, 202.10 were from outside the city of Fort Wayne. By group, contributions to the Peters campaign were:

• 153 individual contributors accounted for approximately 51% of total funding raised by Peters in the reporting period. 48 of the 153 individuals were from outside Fort Wayne, and of those 22 of the individual contributors were from Indianapolis, 2 were from out of the State of Indiana.

• 39 corporate contributors accounted for approximately 11% of total funding raised by Peters in the reporting period. 6 of the 39 corporate contributors were from outside Fort Wayne, and of those 1 was from Indianapolis, none were from out of State. Most of the companies contributing to the Peters campaign were contractors, vendors or suppliers providing goods and services to the city and county.

• 21 Political Action Committees (PACs) accounted for approximately 17% of total funding raised by Peters in the reporting period. 13 of the 21 PACs were from outside Fort Wayne, and of those 9 were from Indianapolis, 4 were from out of the State of Indiana. Most of the PACs contributing to the Peters campaign represented construction companies, trade unions, utilities, businesses, and special interest groups.

• 31 other organizations accounted for approximately 21% of total funding raised by Peters in the reporting period. 13 of the 31 other organizations were from outside Fort Wayne, and of those 8 were from Indianapolis, 2 were from out of the State of Indiana.

Who’s going to put the next Mayor in office? The real estate developers, speculators and out-of-town special interest groups, or the people of Fort Wayne? Do you want special interest groups and outsiders running this city?

On the expense side, Peters spent $163,130.30, 68% of that or $111,485.70, was spent with firms outside Fort Wayne.

By contrast, Kelty had 138 total contributors to his campaign in the last reporting period made up of 117 individual contributors, 13 companies, no political action committees, and 8 other organizations. Of the 138 total contributors, 11 or 8% were from outside Fort Wayne, most from nearby Leo, Auburn, New Haven, Woodburn, Roanoke and the like. 1 contributor of the 11 was from Michigan.

By group, contributions to the Kelty campaign were:

• 117 individual contributors accounted for approximately 68% of total funding raised by Kelty in the reporting period.

• 13 corporate contributors accounted for approximately 7% of total funding raised by Kelty in the reporting period. All were Fort Wayne corporations such as Perfection Bakeries and Halls Restaurants.

• No PACs contributed to the Kelty campaign during this reporting period.

• 8 other organizations accounted for approximately 25% of total funding raised by Kelty in the reporting period. Many of these contributors were professionals such as doctors and realtors, but  also included were the Tippmann companies and other companies supporting the campaign with services.

On the expense side, Kelty spent $168,337.30, only 1% of that or $475.13, was spent with firms outside Fort Wayne.

“My focus is on Fort Wayne, its people, its businesses and its future”, said Kelty. “I will continue to work in my own back yard, with the citizens and businesses of Fort Wayne, to build a new era of economic prosperity and opportunity. Then reach out to others outside Fort Wayne to participate in our success, and invite them to grow with us into the future. ”

Kelty’s platform of Values, Vision and Leadership focuses on the issues of stimulating economic development and job growth in Fort Wayne, reducing City spending and lowering taxes, and creating a more “business-friendly” environment for existing businesses to expand and new businesses to locate to the City by reducing government regulation. Kelty promotes a market-based approach to establishing a new economic legacy for Fort Wayne, and plans to augment the work of the Northeast Indiana Regional Marketing Initiative to further attract new businesses to Fort Wayne and make it the best city in America to own a business.

People, the choice is clear now more than ever. If you want your voice running the city of Fort Wayne vote for Matt Kelty. If you want special interest groups and a mayor that does not have the foresight to keep local dollars with local  businesses, move to another town.

Posted by AWB

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