Ypsilanti mayoral candidates spend just over $6,100 each on their campaigns

Council Member Pete Murdock is running for mayor.

Both candidates have spent roughly the same amount of money, according to their campaign finance reports filed with the Washtenaw County Clerk’s Office. Schreiber has spent $6,547, while Murdock has spent $6,104.

The two Democrats face off in the Aug. 3 primary, and the winner is almost guaranteed the seat in the uncontested November election.

Schreiber, who lives in a small section north of Michigan Avenue in Ward 1 - bordered by Ward 2 on three sides - has had particular success in Ward 2. He has raised roughly twice the funds as Murdock in that ward.

But Murdock - not including the loan to himself - has received roughly double the donations Schreiber has in Ward 3, where he lives. Murdock said the numbers did not surprise him.

Mayor Paul Schreiber is running for reelection. 

“My electoral base is probably over here where I’m elected from - the money kind of follows that,” he said.

Murdock also holds a large advantage in Ward 1, where Schreiber has only received one donation from south of Michigan Avenue. The bulk of Murdock’s support there has come from the Historic South Side Neighborhood, which lies between Hamilton and South Huron Streets south of Michigan Avenue.

Only five homes in the largely African-American district on the southwest side have donated money. Two of those come from council representatives Lois Richardson and Trudy Swanson-Winston.

Schreiber said he's pleased with his fundraising efforts and the broad range of people who have donated to his campaign. He added he didn't want to draw conclusions about how people would vote based on campaign finance reports.

“I really put more faith in what people say when you talk to them, and I think I’ve been getting some good responses,” he said. “I hope to keep getting them as the campaign winds down to August 3.”

Schreiber’s largest donor was Ypsilanti attorney and school board trustee Andy Fanta, who gave $500. Murdock had four supporters who gave $500. They include Ypsilanti Township residents Bruce and Katrina Graham. Bruce Graham is listed as a software engineer who Murdock said used to live in the city, while Katrina is retired. John McMillan, who is listed as retired, and Joe Lawrence, a local rental property owner, also contributed $500 to Murdock's campaign.

Schreiber and Murdock have roughly $3,100 and $5,600, respectively, remaining in their war chests. But neither candidate said he had any major campaign events planned for the race's final week. Both said they would be out knocking on doors and discussing their main campaign points.

Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.