Pro-earnings tax effort costs $663,000; Zimmerman spent $515,000
The final campaign reports for the region's April 5 elections, due Thursday, show that the heftiest spending was on behalf of an issue: St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay's successful campaign to retain the city's 1 percent earnings tax.
The report filed by Slay's pro-earnings tax committee, Citizens for a Stronger St. Louis, show that they raised $671,291 and spent $663,931. After settling all outstanding debts, the committee reported no money left in the bank.
Citizens for a Stronger St. Louis also filed paperwork Thursday to dissolve formally.
Meanwhile, in St. Louis County, Democrat Jake Zimmerman reported that he spent $515,623 in his successful quest to become the county's first elected assessor in 50 years. Zimmerman raised $367,469.52, and also used most of his substantial campaign warchest saved from his previous campaigns for the state House. Zimmerman ended his campaign with $30,110 in the bank.
He outspent Republican rival L.K. "Chip" Wood by a ratio of more than 11-to-1. Wood reported raising $46,784 and spending $44,863. Wood ended the campaign with $2,726 in the bank and a debt of $3,000.
Contact Beacon political reporter Jo Mannies.
