'Frugal' Fred Eisenberger spends just $106K to become Hamilton's mayor
Mayor Fred Eisenberger spent just $106,000 in October's municipal election to best his two other major challengers.
Eisenberger had a spending limit of $318,705.40 in the mayoral race, which included councillors Brad Clark and Brian McHattie. But he spent just a third of that — $106,647— to regain the mayor's seat, compared to Clark's $152,236.05 and McHattie's budget of $129,341.11.
Eisenberger is known as a frugal spender in municipal elections. In 2006 — the first time he was elected mayor — he spent just $59,000 compared to incumbent Larry Di Ianni, who spent $236,359.43.
Eisenberger's campaign stump speech included the claim that he was "Dutch and frugal." The election expenses are that frugality at work, said Chris Cutler, Eisenberger's campaign manager and now a staffer in the mayor's office.
Volunteers and name recognition
It was "a frugal Fred and a frugal campaign manager," he said. "Great volunteers made a difference for us. Tremendous name recognition, very positive public opinion and a lot of goodwill towards Mayor Fred really helped."
In his losing 2010 campaign for re-election, Eisenberger also spent less than his competitors. He spent $99,926.38 compared to Di Ianni's $226,632.32 and Bob Bratina's $135,342.34. Bratina won that election.
Eisenberger is the only candidate who raised more than he spent. He raised $109,856, although expense documents show his campaign borrowed $9,000 from a credit union.
Both McHattie and Clark spent their own money on their campaigns, and didn't near the spending limit either. The election was particularly hard on Clark, who spent $152,236.05 and raised $84,315.97. This week, Clark's friends and former colleagues held a roast, Breaking Brad, to help cover his campaign expenses.
McHattie spent $129,341.11 and raised $126,961.81.
Signs, flyers and fundraising
Eisenberger's biggest expense was advertising ($46,368), followed by signs ($16,039), flyers ($13,547) and fundraising ($10,960). He finished with 39.93 per cent of the vote, or 49,020.
Clark dug deep on salaries, benefits, honoraria and professional fees ($79,148), signs ($16,963) and rent ($9,967) for campaign offices around Hamilton. Clark finished with 31.53 per cent, or 38,706.
McHattie's major expenses included advertising ($50,324), salaries, benefits, honoraria and professional fees ($24,696) and office expenses ($16,402). McHattie finished with 20.38 per cent, or 25,050.
Friday is the deadline to submit campaign expenses. Candidates who don't file expenses are forbidden from running in the next election. Two candidates — Robert Pasuta of Ward 14 and Drina Omazic — have extensions for filing. Pasuta, who won his seat again, has until April 10 to file. Omazic, who lost the Ward 3 election and is now Eisenberger's chief of staff, has until April 27.
It's up to the public to examine the expense reports for any violations of spending rules, said Tony Fallis, Hamilton's chief returning officer. According to the Elections Act, a member of the public would have to complain to a city compliance audit committee, he said.
"The public would scrutinize them," he said of expense reports.
"We're not auditors or accountants, even though I'll take a brief look at them when they come in."