FORT WAYNE – Mayor Tom Henry spent a record amount of money to win the most expensive campaign in the city’s history.
Henry, a Democrat, spent nearly $1.3 million last year to win re-election against Republican Paula Hughes – who spent $940,000, according to campaign finance reports that were due on Wednesday.
The combined $2.2 million spent by the two candidates eclipses the $1.8 million spent by Democrat Graham Richard and Republican Linda Buskirk in 2003, which previously was the most expensive in city history.
This year’s total does not include the nearly $320,000 spent by Eric Doden and $87,730 spent by Liz Brown while seeking the Republican nomination. Henry faced only nominal opposition in his primary.
For more on this story, see Thursday's print edition of The Journal Gazette or return to www.journalgazette.net after 3 a.m. Thursday.