Two Portland City Council candidates, with the backing of state Democratic leaders, have raised over $15,000 each, according to finance reports filed Friday.

Spencer Thibodeau and Brandon Mazer, both attorneys, have each raised more than the combined totals of the competitors in their district races, in the West and East ends of the peninsula.

While City Council elections are nonpartisan – candidates’ party affiliations do not appear on the ballot – the parties play a role in recruiting candidates and forming alliances.

The fundraising reflects two aggressive campaigns to retake seats that were occupied by members of the Green Independent Party, which over the past nine years has challenged the Democratic establishment.

Maine Democratic Party spokeswoman Rachel Irwin said the party has been recruiting and supporting Democratic candidates throughout the state for municipal office. She said the party is not endorsing specific candidates in Portland, but Thibodeau and Mazer appear to have the backing of prominent party leaders.

“Our staff didn’t proactively reach out to any candidates but did agree to meet with any Democratic campaigns in Portland who asked. We offer any Democratic campaign in Maine a base level of logistical support when it comes to campaign basics,” including fundraising strategies, voter data and get-out-the-vote operations, she said. “You may have also recognized individual contributions for Mazer or Thibodeau coming from party staff. These contributions are made on their personal behalf and aren’t a reflection of the Maine Democratic Party.”

Thibodeau, whose supporters include state Sen. Justin Alfond, has raised $15,776. The real estate attorney is facing two competitors for the District 2 seat representing the West End – Wells Lyons, who has raised $5,521; and Rob Korobkin, who has raised $7,244.

Thibodeau is getting a lot of financial support from fellow lawyers, particularly his co-workers at Verrill Dana. Attorneys contributed roughly $4,630 to his campaign. His top contributors were Verrill Dana attorney Jon Stanley ($775), Project Management Inc. owner Cyrus Hagge ($775), Patricia Hagge ($775), ELC Inc. President Eric and ELC Inc. Manager Peggy Cianchette ($775 each), and Bath Iron Works engineer Stephen DiMuccio ($750).

Mazer had raised $15,336 by the end of the filing period that ended Oct. 20. Mazer, the lead attorney for Shipyard Brewing Co., is facing four candidates for the District 1 seat in the East End who have raised a little more than $10,000 combined. Belinda Ray, a freelance author and construction business manager, has raised $4,335; Sean Kerwin, a carpenter, has raised $4,826; Patrick Flynn, a retired firefighter, has raised $1,400; and Paula Agopian has raised $126.

Mazer is receiving some campaign help from state Rep. Diane Russell. His treasurer, Anya Trundy, is also the finance director for the Maine Democratic Party.

“That is purely a coincidence,” Mazer said. “Anya and I went to Bowdoin College together and have been friends since.”

Mazer and Thibodeau got into their races before incumbents Kevin Donoghue and David Marshall, both Green Independents, announced that they were not running again for the District 1 and 2 seats, respectively.

Over their nine years, Donoghue and Marshall have challenged the Democratic establishment.

Their election in 2006 ushered in a series of electoral wins for the Greens in Portland, where members serve on the council, school board and in the Legislature. It also marked the first time that people in their 20s were elected to the council.

The Greens’ success has been a sore spot for Democrats, who in 2007 spent $3,000 on as many as 200 campaign signs warning voters “These Greens Cause Chaos,” a nod to the failed effort to redevelop the Maine State Pier, the arrests of two Green school board members and a $2 million school budget deficit.

Three Green Independent Party members now serve on the school board.

 

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