Public money funds winners

The candidates finishing atop Tuesday’s Chapel Hill municipal elections are the only two that signed up for the voter-owned election program — an indicator of its success.

Out of 12 candidates, only Penny Rich and Mark Kleinschmidt participated. Rich received top votes for Town Council, and Kleinschmidt was elected mayor.

It was a stark contrast from the last time Rich ran in 2007, when she came in sixth place.

“It’s positive that voters found it appealing that candidates would make a statement about not taking larger contributions,” said Bob Hall, executive director of Democracy North Carolina.

Voter-owned elections is a pilot program enacted by the N.C. General Assembly for the 2009 and 2011 Chapel Hill elections that enables candidates to receive public funds after raising a minimum.

A poll by Raleigh-based Democratic group Public Policy Polling showed 51 percent of Chapel Hill voters in support of the program after seeing Tuesday’s results, compared to 31 percent against.

The program aimed to diversify candidates, but its success was questioned after low participation.

“It’s not surprising that only two candidates took advantage of the program in its first year,” said Ruby Sinreich, manager of the left-leaning blog Orange Politics.

But because voter-owned elections candidates were required to raise amounts in $5 to $20 to qualify, Rich said it allowed her to reach more people early in the campaign.

Though finance reports show mayoral candidate Matt Czajkowski received more than four times as much money from private donors as Kleinschmidt, Kleinschmidt had nearly as many donors.

Czajkowski raised $27,653 in this election cycle, according to the most recent campaign filings. Kleinschmidt raised about $5,000 and was eligible for $13,000 from the voter-owned election program.

Matt Pohlman, who came in fifth in the council race for four seats, said he decided not to use public financing because he didn’t feel it was fair to take funds from taxpayers who may or may not support his views.

“It appears there was a positive impact, but it’s too early to make that determination,” he said.

With finances covered, Rich and Kleinschmidt said they were able to focus on connecting with voters.

“Participating in the public financing program took the focus off of money and put it on issues,” Kleinschmidt said in a Common Cause news release.

Rich said the program directly helped her win.

“Penny was able to spend a lot more time going door to door,” said Brooks Rainey Pearson, Rich’s campaign manager.

Rich said financing limits with the program were not a problem.

“There’s no reason for a Town Council race to cost $20,000 in Chapel Hill,” Rich said.

The program is in a pilot stage and must be renewed by the General Assembly with council member support after the 2011 election, Hall said.

Other cities like Portland, Ore., use similar public finance programs, he said. Portland’s gradually grew more popular.

Pearson said she predicts voter-owned elections will grow in Chapel Hill.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.