Fun with numbers

After posting the latest cash on hand in the mayor's race on Thursday night, I wondered how much of the $7 million raised has come in via small contributions. Remarkably little, it turns out. If checks under $100 that get written in coffee klatches and backyard barbecues (or sent over the Internet) are an indicator of grass roots support, then nobody in this race can claim to be a man of the people. The Big Five have reported only about $50,000 between them in donations under the $100 threshold that triggers disclosure of donor names. Villaraigosa leads the category.

Total contributions under $100 through Jan. 22:

Villaraigosa: $13,645 (0.97% of his total)
Hertzberg: $10,837 (0.67%)
Alarcon: $10,241 (2.29%)
Parks: $8,827 (1.27%)
Hahn: $8,188 (0.29%)

In the latest reporting period, the mayor didn't take in any small contributions, Alarcon only $50, Hertzberg $110. The other numbers that jump out are how much some of the candidates have already spent. Hahn knew he would have the most to play with and has burned through $834,000. Hertzberg is close behind at $775,000. Villaraigosa has kept his expenses down so far to a svelte $260,000. As I mentioned before, more report details are all online at the city Ethics Commisison website.

Previously: Cash on hand