Annise Parker Posts Impressive Fundraising Numbers

Tomorrow is a fun day for political junkies, with campaign finance reports going online. Annise Parker released her numbers early, and they are very impressive - both in the amount of money raised and the number of donors. The Parker campaign clearly has a strategy to reach out to donors, supporters and volunteers using modern communication tools, and it seems to be well executed and delivering results. The press release I received from her campaign is below. Who will have enough money raised to start communicating with voters via mail and TV? It's going to be interesting to see which two mayoral candidates make the best case to the voters and get into the runoff - which will mostly be played out on the conservative west side of Houston where there will also be three District Council runoffs. Now, onto to tomorrow where we will see reports from Peter Brown, Gene Locke and all the Controller and City Council candidates!

Annise Parker Campaign Raises More than $800,000 from 2,254 donors

Parker: “We’re building a grassroots campaign like Houston has never seen before.”

Houston, TX – The Annise Parker for Mayor Campaign released its fundraising totals through June 30 today, raising $810,114.92 from 2,254 donors. “We’re building a grassroots campaign like Houston has never seen before,” said Parker. “It will take all of us to keep Houston moving through these tough times to a strong economic recovery – and that’s why there is a place in our campaign for everyone to make a difference.” The proof, according to Parker’s campaign manager Adam Harris, is in the numbers: • 2,254 donors – the campaign set a goal of 2,000 donors for the period and easily surpassed it • 7,008 supporters on Facebook and Twitter – greater than three times those of all Parker’s opponents combined • 1,099 online donors contributed a total of $303,927.87 • In the last two days of the period, 291 donors contributed $42,948 online in response to an email appeal Parker sent to her supporters • 1,002 donors made 1,144 contributions of $50 or less • 742 people signed up to volunteer Harris, who has worked on campaigns across the country, said the campaign has applied lessons learned from last year’s presidential campaign: “We’re bringing more people into our campaign using 21st Century tools – like organizing through social networks and online fundraising – in addition to the tried and true methods of phone banks and block walks.” Harris added that the campaign’s substantial investment in its grassroots infrastructure was worth it: “This is the lesson of Obama’s campaign,” Harris continued. “Each one of our 2,254 donors is a powerful fundraiser – capable of reaching out and asking each of their friends to join our campaign by making a contribution.” Parker added: “These 2,254 people are more than stakeholders in our campaign – they are stakeholders in the future of our city.” Harris said the Parker campaign would file its finance report on the July 15 due date.

As Houston’s elected City Controller, Annise Parker directs Houston’s financial investments and manages billions of tax dollars. Her record of independent audits has cut waste and saved the city money to use for priorities like public safety, after-school programs, and economic development. A businesswoman and neighborhood leader, Parker also served on Houston’s City Council. She spent 20 years in the oil and gas industry before entering public service. Parker is a candidate for mayor of Houston in the November 3, 2009 election. Learn more on her website at: www.anniseparker.com.

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