As reported by Joe Gerth in the Louisville Courier-Journal, the first quarter of fundraising in the Louisville mayor's race shows an expensive campaign ahead, with two Democrats, Jim King and Greg Fischer each raising more than $200,000. (A news release from Fischer is below).

A check of the online database of the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance also shows that Republican Hal Heiner took in more than $70,000 in the quarter, while spending about $11,500.

Here is the Fischer campaign's news release:

Fischer Announces Third Quarter Fundraising Results
Candidate raised more than $220,000 through September 30th
with broad-based support across Louisville Metro

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville mayoral candidate Greg Fischer today announced strong third quarter fundraising numbers, bringing in more than $220,000 from supporters across Louisville Metro for the period ending September 30. Indeed, Fischer reported contributions in virtually every precinct in Jefferson County. Just as impressive, more than 90% of contributions came from within Kentucky, most of them from within Jefferson County.

"This is an outstanding show of support for our campaign," said Fischer. "We brought in more than the entire field despite not actively raising money for much of the quarter. Our team is growing and I'm extremely encouraged by the momentum we have going forward. We had a good third quarter and I am confident our fourth quarter will be even better." The Fischer campaign, which only held three fundraisers in Q3 has more than 30 such events already planned for Q4.

"I'm certainly pleased with the numbers and our outlook going forward but unquestionably our greatest success has been the coalition that we have built. Our campaign is an incredibly diverse group of individuals from across the community that has come together with one common purpose: to finally fulfill the promise of merger and improve the quality of life for all Louisvillians."

While the overwhelming majority of contributors to the Fischer campaign, approximately 75%, live in Jefferson County, Fischer has exhibited the ability to gather support from the rest of the Commonwealth, as well. "It's very important that the Mayor of Louisville has a strong working relationship with the rest of the state," said Fischer. "Leaders across Kentucky know me, they trust me, and they know that Louisville's and Kentucky's economic futures depend on new business partnerships with one another."

Today's news comes on the back of an announcement by the Fischer campaign last week that more than 50 of Louisville's top business and community leaders have signed on as co-chairs of the campaign's finance team. That number is now up to 63, and increasing almost daily.

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