Austin in store for close mayoral race

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Campaign finance records released Thursday night suggest a close race for mayor of Austin.

Two candidates are relative unknowns with relatively no money. Three others are well known and well financed.

With contributions limited to $350 from donors, two-term councilman Brewster McCracken raised the most money recently while fellow two-term councilman Lee Leffingwell has the most left in his war chest.

In the past two months, McCracken raised $214,039 and has $101,918 left on hand. Leffingwell raised $128,277 and still has $136,170.

Former three term mayor Carole Keeton Strayhorn raised $102,249 and has $80,559 remaining.

Leffingwell also loaned his campaign $100,000 this year. McCracken and Strayhorn did no borrowing.

The election is May 9, one month away. If no candidate wins outright with 50 percent plus one, a likely runoff will be held June 13.