Thanks in part to the largesse of a single donor, three Denver school board candidates endorsed by pro-reform education groups are leading in fundraising ahead of November’s election, according to the latest campaign finance reports.
Candidates Alexis Menocal Harrigan, Diana Romero Campell, and Tony Curcio each got a $10,000 donation in August from retired executive Ronald Williams.
Williams was president and CEO of Denver oil and gas company Gary-Williams. He has for years donated to the campaigns of school board candidates who support reforms such as closing low-performing schools and collaborating with independent charter schools.
Nine candidates are running for three open seats on the Denver school board. The election is Nov. 5. Below, see how much each candidate has reported raising and spending as of Aug. 28.
Southeast Denver, District 1
Diana Romero Campbell
Entered the race: June 11
Total raised: $38,590
Total spent: $16,021.80
Radhika Nath
Entered the race: June 10
Total raised: $26,660.98
Total spent: $5,078.38
Scott Baldermann
Entered the race: April 29
Total raised: $23,205
Total spent: $22,028.16
Northwest Denver, District 5
Tony Curcio
Entered the race: May 14
Total raised: $45,475.79
Total spent: $17,511.72
Brad Laurvick
Entered the race: May 18
Total raised: $32,706
Total spent: $8,202.02
Julie Bañuelos
Entered the race: Feb. 27
Total raised: $7,224.24
Total spent: $3,386.87
At-large
Alexis Menocal Harrigan
Entered the race: May 2
Total raised: $53,151.52
Total spent: $26,397.59
Tay Anderson
Entered the race: Aug. 13, 2018
Total raised: $33,481.39
Total spent: $19,334.31
Natela Manuntseva
Entered the race: Aug. 9
Total raised: $1,500
Total spent: $0
This story has been updated with additional information about candidate Natela Alexandrovna Manuntseva.