Kruger gets the late money in Aspen mayoral race

ASPEN – The late money in the Aspen mayor’s race was dumped into the coffers of interim Councilwoman Ruth Kruger, according to campaign report forms released Wednesday.

During the latest campaign-finance reporting period covering April 8 through Tuesday, Kruger received $13,850 in donations from 75 individuals, bringing her total war chest to $14,300.

The commercial real estate broker spent $7,117 during the period on a variety of advertising sources, of which $1,374 went to the Aspen Daily News and $940 bought beer for potential supporters during Sunday’s Aspen Highlands closing party. Other expenditures involved website designs, campaign photographs and T-shirts. Kruger’s cash-on-hand at the end of the reporting period was $7,183.

Notable contributors to Kruger’s campaign include Aspen Planning and Zoning Commissioner James DeFrancia, developer Peter Fornell, developer John Provine, property owner Frank Woods, attorney William Jordan, former Stage 3 property owner Jeffrey Jones, developer Michael Lipkin, 2009 mayoral candidate Marilyn Marks, former Aspen finance director Paul Menter, developer John Sarpa and restaurateur Craig Cordts-Pearce.

Kruger faces incumbent Mayor Mick Ireland and former local TV and radio personality Andrew Kole in the May 3 election. Kole had not filed a campaign-finance report as of midday Wednesday. The reports were due in the City Clerk’s Office on Tuesday.

Ireland raised $5,975 during the reporting cycle, boosting his war chest to $9,345. He spent $3,249, leaving him with $6,097 at the end of the period. Notable donors include former City Hall communications specialist Sally Spaulding, retired architect Bill Weiner, Aspen Music Festival CEO Alan Fletcher, media consultant Allyn Harvey, former Aspen Mayor John Bennett and former Pitkin County Democratic Party chair Camilla Auger.

The Sick of Mick political committee, an organization devoted to raising money for the purpose of ousting Ireland, raised $770 during the 18-day cycle. The committee is run by Ireland critic Elizabeth Milias, who also operates the redant.com political blog. Marks, who contributed toward Kruger’s campaign, also donated $100 to the Sick of Mick committee.

The following list includes the six candidates for City Council, the amount of money raised and spent during the last reporting cycle and funds on hand at the end of the period:

• Adam B. Frisch $6,450; $1,895; $3,835

• Steve Skadron $2,710; $2,725; $3,774

• LJ Erspamer $2,000 ($2,000 self-loan); none; none

• Cliff Weiss $1,550 ($1,000 self-loan); $961; $589

• Marcia Goshorn $1,000 ($1,000 self-loan); $234; $766

• Scott Writer, none, none, none

asalvail@aspentimes.com