As blogged about last week, it appears the Louisville mayor's race will be quite expensive, with two candidates, Jim King and Greg Fischer each already reporting more than $200,000 raised in campaign contributions.

When filing last week's blog, I had only received a news release from Fischer's campaign. Since then, I received this release from the King campaign:

(LOUISVILLE , Ky.) - Today, Jim King announced that his campaign raised more than $200,000 since announcing his candidacy a month and a half ago. In the campaign's quarterly fundraising report receipts totaled $209,675. Based on reports filed by the campaigns from each mayoral candidate, King was the leader in fundraising from supporters.

The campaign launched on August 26 at Swiss Hall in Schnizelburg . Since then King has been in the community meeting people and sharing his message of job growth, public safety and quality of life. "The campaign is about Louisville and the people who live here," King said, "and I'm absolutely thrilled by the support we're getting from every neighborhood we visit and every group we have the privilege to address."

Since announcing his candidacy under the banner, "Ready to listen, ready to lead", King has been on a community-wide "listening tour," engaging voters in a dialogue about the needs and opportunities in Louisville. King has attended dozens local events meeting people and encouraging them to get involved in the process. "I am so energized and encouraged by the people I meet out in the community," King said. "Our base continues to grow every day, so I feel like I'm entering this next phase of the campaign with the wind at my back."

Born and raised in Louisville, King attended St. Raphael the Archangel School, St. Xavier High School and the University of Louisville where he earned a degree in accounting. He is married to wife, Debbie, and has four children and eight grandchildren, all of whom also reside in Louisville.

For more information on Jim King and his campaign, visit www.jimkingformayor.com.

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