Expect a flood of advertising before the April 7 city election: The 21 candidates have spent more than $140,000 on television, radio, billboard, direct-mail and other advertising scheduled to air or appear during the remaining three weeks before ballots are due.

Most candidates ramped up spending in the first two weeks of March. Former Colorado Springs Mayor Mary Lou Makepeace led the pack, paying nearly $35,000 for television and billboard advertising, political consultants and other campaign expenses. She also added more than $20,000 to her campaign war chest, second only to former Attorney General John Suthers, who hauled in $25,000 during the latest reporting period.

Suthers has raised nearly twice as much as his five opponents combined at more than $300,000 – the bulk of the $470,000 in fundraising in the mayor’s race.

That is still a fraction of the $1.31 million raised by 10 candidates in the 2011 election, which included a runoff.

Suthers said his campaign is closing in on attracting 1,000 donors with more than half giving $100 or less with 85 percent from the Colorado Springs area. He said the number of donors “shows the depth and breadth of support that hopefully will be reflected in the vote.”

El Paso County Commissioner Amy Lathen, who is focusing her advertising on radio, direct-mail and Facebook advertising, remains second in overall fundraising at $79,6300, said the donations show her “campaign is gaining momentum.” She raised more than $13,000 in the latest period after bringing in less than $1,000 in the previous period.

Makepeace closed much of the gap between she and Lathen, and is less than $5,000 behind the commissioner. Former City Councilman Joel Miller is a distant fourth at $12,215. Makepeace and Miller weren’t available Tuesday for comment.

Councilman Larry Bagley, appointed to replace Miller in District 2 when he resigned to run for mayor, led all City Council candidates in fundraising during the latest period, bringing in nearly $15,000. He has raised nearly nine times as much as opponent Kanda Calef.

City Council President Pro-Tem Merv Bennett, and fellow at-large candidates Tom Strand and Jariah Walker all brought in more than $10,000 each to increase their total raised to more than $30,000 apiece.

No other council candidate has raised more than $2,644, and only Nicholas Lee has more than $1,000 left to spend.

–

Contact Wayne Heilman: 636-0234

Twitter @wayneheilman

Facebook Wayne Heilman