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Hauenstein tops candidate fundraising

Photo Illustration/Alycin Bektesh

Candidate expense reports were due this Tuesday for Aspen’s spring municipal election. City council candidate Ward Hauenstein has raised the most money, around $8,000. First time candidate Sue Tatem bottoms out the list with $186 in donations.

Torre and Skippy Mesirow are also top earners. The three candidates have spent much of their earnings on campaign flyers, yard signs and food at rallies. Mesirow also paid for professional video work for an online commercial.

Hoping to retain their seats on council, Ann Mullins and Art Daily have spent most of their contributions on newspaper ads and buttons. One of Mullins' top donors is former mayor Bill Stirling, who recently pushed Council to pass an ordinance restricting future formula retail in downtown Aspen.

In the mayor's race, Lee Mulcahy raised a total of $500 from two contributions at the maximum amount of $250. One from council candidate Sue Tatem and one from his mother. He spent nearly $200 at a meet and greet at the Hickory House.

Incumbent Mayor Steve Skadron also received funds from his mother. Another top donor is Bill Budinger, a neighbor of the old art museum and vocal opponent of a proposed brewery within the space. In response to Budinger and the neighbors, Council cut off all lease negotiations for the space last year and will instead retain the building for city offices.

Skadron has spent under $1,000 of his $3,600 on a website and campaign mailers.

Ballots have been mailed to registered City of Aspen voters.

For a complete profile of each candidate, go here.

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