And Perkins is racking up endorsements. He has been backed by over 41 groups and individuals, including at least 13 unions and 8 political clubs. He also has had 200 to 300 volunteers phone banking, canvassing and stuffing envelopes daily.
News Topics
The Economy
Justice
Education
Housing and Development
Government
Author
Kelly Virella
About | RSS
Smikle says that despite the fundraising disparity, he’s still a viable candidate. “I’m competitive and that’s what matters,” he says, adding that Perkins' weakness is that he’s received too much of his funds from PACs, whereas Smikle says he’s received 70 percent of his donations from individual contributors giving under $250. “Education reformers—people who agree with me about school choice and the need for other school reforms—are my supporters,” he says.
Levenson says Smikle would have a hard time convincing voters that Perkins' donations, many from unions, are troubling. "Is Basil Smikle prepared to make labor a negative in this race? It may be a negative among the Post readership. But it may not be a negative in the district. I would argue that a lot of the members of the district are members of organized labor," Levenson said. "If he can make the teachers union seem negative while he's accepting money from hedge funds, that'll be a heavy lift."
