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Follow the money: Bliss leads GR mayoral candidates in funds

Posted at 5:29 PM, Jul 28, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-28 17:29:57-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With one week until voters head to the polls to choose the city’s next mayor, campaign finance documents reveal current commissioner Rosalynn Bliss holds a substantial lead over the competition.

Records from the Kent County Clerk’s Office show Bliss has raised $92,385 for her campaign. A June fundraiser held at Harmony Brewing alone raised more than $30,000.

The Grand Rapids Police Officers Labor Council and Grand Rapids Firefighters Union donated $2,500 and $5,000, respectively, to Bliss’ campaign.

Bliss’ campaign has spent $48,488, nearly five times as much as her closest competitor, Robert Dean, a former school board member, city commissioner and two-term state representative.

Dean’s campaign has raised $16,937, and has spent $10,495.

John George, a political newcomer and retired engineer, has raised just $204, all of which records indicate is his own money put toward the campaign.

There are no documents available for Willard Lee. The 26-year-old military veteran filed a waiver stating he doesn’t intend to raise or spend more than $1,000 on his campaign.