Correction: The below column says Kathleen Falk "raised about $200,000" in her last race for county executive, in 2001; Falk actually raised $247,000 and spent "in the $180,000 and $190,000" range, says campaign advisor Melissa Mulliken.
On Thursday, about 100 "environmental leaders" will sponsor a fundraiser for Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk at the Club Tavern in Middleton. Falk is running for re-election next spring. She has at least one declared opponent, former Madison school board member Nancy Mistele. Verona Mayor Jon Hochkammer is also rumored to be considering a run.
"It's not our first event," says Melissa Mulliken, Falk's campaign adviser. Falk held a kick-off fundraiser on Nov. 20, hosted by John DeMain, director of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and his wife, Barbara. About 700 people sponsored that event, at the Nakoma Golf Club.
"We were going to do it at [the DeMains'] house, but it got to be so large, we had to move it," says Mulliken. "It was this incredible outpouring of support."
The last time Falk had an opponent was in 2001, when she ran against Supv. Dave Wiganowsky. She raised about $200,000 then. This time, Mulliken expects Falk to have about $160,000 by the time her first campaign finance report is due in January. She'll collect more as the election nears.
"This is just the beginning of fundraising," promises Mulliken. "We'll raise what it takes."