From $1 to $500, here's how much donors gave to Topeka City Council candidate campaigns

Topeka developer and Advisors Excel co-owner Cody Foster has donated more than anyone else so far to the campaigns of candidates in this year's Topeka City Council races, contributing $2,000.

That includes $500 each to the campaigns of District 8 incumbent Spencer Duncan, District 4 candidate David Banks and District 6 candidates Marcus D.L. Miller and Zachary Surritt.

Foster explained Monday in an email to The Capital-Journal why he contributed to the campaigns of Miller and Surritt, who are running against each other as part of a race that involves four candidates.

"I’m friends with them and they both asked me to donate," he said. "Not much beyond that. Think both would represent citizens well. Don’t know the other two people running."

This year's elections feature some interesting and important races, with some big issues in front of the council, Foster said.

Topeka City Council primary election will be Aug. 1

Duncan and Banks are the leading money-raisers among candidates, according to campaign finance reports Shawnee County Election Commissioner Andrew Howell's office made available Monday to The Capital-Journal.

Candidates for the district 2, 4, 6 and 8 seats on the council — which will be up for a vote in the Nov. 7 general elections — were required by Monday to file reports detailing donations their campaigns received and money expended between Jan. 1 and July 20.

A primary election to narrow the field of candidates from four to two in west-central Topeka's District 6 will be Aug. 1.

Only two candidates are running for each of the other seats.

Who raised the most overall in the Topeka City Council races?

Duncan's campaign was the biggest money-raiser both overall and in southwest Topeka's District 8, receiving donations totaling $7,725 during the time period involved, his finance report said.

Duncan also personally loaned $11,110 to his campaign.

Duncan's opponent, Chris Phelps — instead of filing a finance report — exercised his option of filing an affidavit saying he planned to spend less than $1,000 on his campaign.

Duncan's report identified his donors as Foster, $500; AIM Strategies, $500; Bettis Asphalt & Construction, $500; Custom Tree Care, $500; Duncan Law Offices, $500; Robert Duncan, $500; Ryan Duncan, $500; John and Joelle Federico, $500; Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, $500; International Association of Firefighters Local No. 83, $500; Morse Inc., $500; Ledbetter Law Offices, $250; Midwest Health, $250; Chris Palmer, $250; Paul Davis Law Firm, $250; Randy and Debra Clayton, $200; Whitney Damron, $200; Jim Edwards, $150; Brian Armstrong, $100; Beverly Carlson, $100; Barb Wasinger, $100; Col. George and Rita Webb, $100; Joan Wagnon, $100; Moe and Donna Reiff, $50; Lawrence Tenopir, $50; Nick Xidis, $50; Duncan Whittier, $25.

Who raised the most in southeast Topeka's District 4?

Banks's campaign was the biggest money-raiser in southeast Topeka's District 4, receiving donations totaling $5,925.

His opponent, Dave Brede, filed an affidavit saying he planned to spend less than $1,000.

Banks' report identified his donors as Foster, $500; Dana K. Anderson, $500; Carlson's I-70 Auction, $500; Fit Excavating, $500; Kevin and Andrea Holland, $500; Midwest Health Inc./Greg Wessell, $500; Topeka Firefighters Local No. 83, $500; JJ&J Inc./Great Life Golf & Fitness, $300; Glenda Cafer, $250; Jake Klima, $250; Sterling Scott, $250; Skinny's Bar & Grill, $250; Robert Fletcher, $200; Leo Taylor, $200; Jim Gartner, $150; Richard and Amber Bartel, $100; JM Staffing, $100; Troy and Suzanne Mentzer, $100; James A. Shehi, $100; Douglas and Frieda Smith, $100; Randy B. Currie, $25; Leah F. Gabber-Marshall, $25; Alan Singleton, $25.

Who raised the most in west-central Topeka's District 6?

Miller's campaign raised the most among candidates in west-central Topeka's District 6 with $1,781, compared to $1,576 for the campaign of Zachary Surritt and $786.06 for the campaign of Craig Dunstan.

Dunstan also personally loaned his campaign $1,531.68, his finance report said.

The other candidate, Bob Beers, filed an affidavit saying he planned to spend less than $1,000.

Miller's report identified his donors as Foster, $500; Capital Trucking, $500; Ralston, Pope & Diehl, LLC, $500; Lacy Szuwalski, $100; Carmen Romero-Nichols, $75; Susan Fowler-Hentzler, $50; Will Manly, $50; Jonathan Smith, $5; and Craig Preisner, $1.

Surritt's report identified his campaign's donors as himself, $500; Foster, $500; Anthony Wilson, $250; Jim Buschbom, $100; and Jim Henry, $100. He also had unitemized contributions totaling $126.

Dunstan's report identified his donors as the Shawnee County Republican Party, $500; Stephen and Linda McGinnis, $100; Greg Overfors, $96.06; and K. Kirk Nystrom, $90.

Who raised the most in Topeka's District 2?

Incumbent District 2 Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala's campaign raised the most in District 2, which includes North Topeka and northeast' Topeka's Oakland community.

Her campaign's donations totaled $3,050.

Valdivia-Alcala's report identified her donors as John Bottenberg, $500; International Association of Firefighters Local No. 83, $500; Pinegar, Smith & Associates, $500; Teamsters 696 DRIVE for Kansas, $500; Senne Company, $300; Kansas AFL-CIO Cope Fund Account, $250; Carol Duffy McDowell, $250; Arthur Alcala, $100; Ryan Irsik, $100. Valdivia-Alcala also received unitemized contributions totaling $50.

Her opponent, Craig McCullah, received donations totaling $1,000. They consisted of $500 each from the Anderson Family Trust and Kevin Holland.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: 2023 Topeka City Council races: How much funding candidates raised