Money can’t buy happiness and apparently it doesn’t afford for a winning election campaign in Oak Bay, either.
Just ask Hazel Braithwaite, who ran an unsuccessful mayoral campaign on $20,671.59 in campaign contributions, compared to Mayor Nils Jensen, who came in 428 votes ahead of his rival candidate with $12,467.24 in contributions.
Braithwaite’s largest contribution came from the Penny Farthing, which also supported Jensen’s campaign. The pub supplied Braithwaite with a $4,768.76 contribution while supporting Jensen with $645.12.
Other corporate contributors of note include Oak Bay Marine Group, which provided the Jensen campaign with $650.
Candidates in the Nov. 19 municipal elections had until Monday (March 19) to declare their campaign contributions and expenses.
Coun. Kevin Murdoch topped the list with the highest amount raised toward a councillor campaign with $5,921.22, including $4,122.22 of his own contributions and $300 from Oak Bay Marine Group. Coun. Michelle Kirby, the only candidate endorsed by the Canadian Union of Public Employees ($250 contribution), followed with contributions totalling $3,760.33. Kirby’s campaign was buoyed in part by the Victoria Labour Council ($1,000), Union of taxation Employees ($500), Denise Savoie ($100) and the B.C. Federation of Labour ($100).
Councillors Pam Copley, Cairine Green and John Herbert declared contributions of $2,981.53, $2,100 and $1,966.09, respectively. Coun. Tara Ney logged $347 in campaign contributions.
Unsuccessful council candidate Corey Burger declared $1,295 in contributions, while Colleen Kirkpatrick declared $1,082.70. Bill Carver cited zero contributions and $912 in expenses. Susan Woods and Gregory Hartwell logged zero dollars both for campaign contributions and expenses.
In most cases campaign expenses were closely aligned with contributions.
Election results
For mayor:
Hazel Braithwaite 2,769 - $20,671.59
Nils Jensen 3,197 - $12,467.24
For council:
Corey Burger 1,624 - $1,295
Bill Carver 1,125 - $0
Pam Copley 3,709 - $2,981.53
Cairine Green 2,616 - $2,100
Gregory Hartnell 569 - $0
John Herbert 3,624 - $1,966.09
Michelle Kirby 2,734 - $3,760.33
Colleen Kirkpatrick 1,454 - $1,082.70
Kevin Murdoch 3,347 - $5,921.22
Tara Ney 3,899 - $347
Susan Woods 1,264 - $0