Longmont City Council Candidates Raise Over $70,000 Ahead of Election

As the November 4, 2025, municipal election approaches, candidates for the Longmont City Council have reported raising over $70,000 in campaign funds. The latest finance reports reveal significant disparities in fundraising efforts, ranging from five-figure totals for mayoral candidates to more modest amounts for council hopefuls. The total reported is likely to increase as additional contributions and late filings are submitted.

Susie Hidalgo-Fahring leads the mayoral candidates with $11,144 in monetary contributions, along with $448.72 in in-kind donations, bringing her expenditures to $4,813.20. Her campaign includes a notable donation of $310 from the St. Vrain Valley Education Association, while the majority of her funding comes from individual donors. In contrast, fellow candidate Shakeel Dalal has raised $5,775 and spent $3,566.81, with a similar $310 contribution from the Metro Housing Coalition.

Former Councilmember Sarah Levison reported $8,203.51 in monetary contributions, which includes $3,000 in candidate loans. Her total expenditures amount to $7,701.57. Diane Crist has raised $3,748.84, with all her funding sourced from individual donors, while her spending reached $3,611.99.

In Ward 2, Matthew Popkin has raised $5,291.31, which incorporates $674.31 in candidate loans. He also received $300 in in-kind support and recorded expenditures of $8,913.68. His opponent, Teresa Simpkins, reported $5,285.82 in contributions and spent $2,174.87. Notably, Hidalgo-Fahring contributed $158.47 to her campaign on October 2, and Simpkins did not take out any candidate loans.

The fundraising landscape among at-large candidates shows similar variation. Jake Marsing leads with $5,017 raised and $14,756.38 spent, making his campaign the most heavily funded of the group. Approximately two-thirds of his contributions were self-funded, with significant investments in consultant services totaling $4,250. Marsing received $930 from political committees, including donations from the St. Vrain Valley Education Association Fund, the Jane Fonda Climate PAC, and the Public Education Committee.

Other candidates include Alex Kalkhofer, who reported $4,797.31 in contributions and $2,260.97 in expenditures, including $310 from the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver. Crystal Prieto gathered $3,510.12 and spent $2,940.99, all sourced from individual donors. John Lembke detailed expenditures of $1,175.90 against contributions of $1,319.16, while Riegan Sage listed $1,138.63 in contributions and $945.12 in spending.

The filings reflect a trend where most contributions come from individual donors, with several candidates reaching the legal maximum of $310 per individual donation as stipulated by the Longmont Fair Campaign Practices Act for the 2025 election. Candidates can supplement their fundraising through loans or self-funding for additional campaign expenses.

As ballots are arriving in mailboxes, voters are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the candidates and their platforms. For more information on the upcoming election and voting procedures, visit timescall.com/2025/10/12/boulder-county-colorado-voter-guide-2025/.