Spicer Campaign Raised $0 In February, But Coffers Bursting

Framingham MA

02 March, 2021

3:17 PM

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FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer ended February without raising any money for her potential 2021 reelection bid, but she's still sitting on quite a war chest, according to campaign finance filings released this week. As of Tuesday, Spicer's campaign had $30,220 in its coffers, down only $37 compared to January after the campaign paid a bill related to web hosting. The five-digit sum reflects a strong fundraising year for the first-term mayor. Spicer began 2020 with about $1,600 in the bank, but raised tens of thousands in just a few months. Between July and August, the campaign raised more than $14,000. She raised about that much in December and January, according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance filings. Spicer is ahead in fundraising for the 2021 mayoral race, although no one has else has filed to run against her yes — and Spicer hasn't officially declared her intentions yet, either. Patch has reached out to Spicer's campaign, including to treasurer Mahmood Akhtar, several times in recent weeks asking if the mayor plans to run for reelection in 2021. The campaign has not returned those requests for comment, including one sent Tuesday. During her first run for mayor four years ago, Spicer raised close to $39,000 ahead of the 2017 September primary. Her main opponent, District 8 Councilor John Stefanini, raised over $78,000. In 2020, Spicer's average contribution was about $109, and she received 342 donations. A majority of those contributions, about 128, were from inside Framingham. She also received 58 out-of-state donations, a majority from New York state, where Spicer grew up. Along with Spicer, nine City Councilors — all except at-large members George King Jr. and Janet Leombruno — nine School Committee members and the Library Board and Cemetery Trustees will be on the ballot in 2021. The primary election will take place on Sept. 14 ahead of the Nov. 2 general election.