Hogsett's Fundraising Outpaces Brewer in Indy Mayoral Race

INDIANAPOLIS - The Democratic candidate for mayor of Indianapolis holds a large financial edge over his opponent, receiving nearly four times as much in donations.

Democrat Joe Hogsett’s campaign has $862,042 to spend in the final weeks before the Nov. 3 election, a figure that nearly matches his opponent's total fundraising.

Hogsett has raised just shy of $4 million since he announced his candidacy last year, according to campaign finance reports.

Political newcomer and Republican challenger Chuck Brewer has struggled to raise as much cash. He has $192,101 in the bank. The restaurant owner and former Marine has collected $891,041 total -- almost half of which came from out outgoing Republican Mayor Greg Ballard.

The fundraising edge has meant Hogsett has been able to put a lot more ads on television than Brewer in an election cycle that's gained little attention.

Hogsett is a former federal prosecutor and was Indiana secretary of state in the early 1990s. He's run for several other elected offices before unsuccessfully. This is Brewer's first campaign. Ballard is retiring after two terms as mayor.

Ballard's campaign issued this statement on the financial reports:

Like Mayor Ballard in 2007, I entered this race as an underdog, but there’s plenty of time on the clock. I’ve served 23 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and I’ve faced tougher challenges. We always said we would raise enough money to be in front of voters when they are paying attention and that’s exactly what we’re doing now. Voters can choose between a Marine entrepreneur and local business owner or my opponent who is a career politician. I don’t believe a politics as usual approach is right for our city. For Indianapolis to reach its potential, it needs a fresh, innovative, business-minded approach.

And the Hogsett camp had this to say about its fundraising:

We are humbled by the excitement that continues to build behind Joe’s vision for a safer, stronger Indianapolis,” said campaign manager Thomas Cook. “With this strong show of support, we feel confident that our campaign is well-positioned to continue communicating our positive message over these last two weeks.