SALISBURY — Mayor Paul Woodson raised about three times as much money as his closest opponents in the race for Salisbury City Council.
Campaign finance reports show that as of Oct. 28, Woodson had raised $19,055 and spent $15,431. He was the top vote-getter in Tuesday’s election by 23 votes and is expected to retain the mayor’s office by tradition.
Karen Alexander, who was appointed to City Council earlier this year and won her first election on Tuesday, was the next richest candidate, but even her bank account paled in comparison to Woodson’s. Alexander had raised $7,609 as of the last week of October and spent $6,639.
Alexander came in third in the election, running just 33 votes behind Woodson and 10 votes behind Mayor Pro Tem Maggie Blackwell.
Blackwell, also expected to retain her office by tradition, had raised $6,341 and spent $4,107 as of Oct. 28.
Councilman Brian Miller, who came in fifth out of five seats but still beat the closest challenger by 626 votes, had raised $1,125 and spent nothing so far.
Councilman William “Pete” Kennedy, who came in fourth, and challengers Blake Jarman, Rick Honeycutt, William Peoples and Dale Stephens all pledged not to receive or spend more than $1,000 during the campaign.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.