Linn County Casino Campaigns Raise $2.25 Million and Spend $2.2 Million in 6 Weeks

If the stream of ads running across television, newspaper, internet and radio, or the constant coverage from local news outlets wasn't clue enough, the financial reports released today show the stakes of the March 5 election over whether to allow casino gambling in Linn County.

Combined the Vote Yes Linn County, which supports the casino, and Just Say No Casino have raised $2.25 million in just over a month.

Contributions

Vote Yes has the clear money advantage, bringing in $1.5 million, virtually all of it under the umbrella of Cedar Rapids Development Group, which is the team of investors backing the casino. They say the casino will bring 600 new jobs and infuse $224 million in pay and benefits.

Meanwhile, Just Say No has brought in $750,000, with $600,000 coming from Riverside Casino, which has said a Linn County Casino would devastate their operation one county away. The other major contribution comes from the Isle Casino in Waterloo, which has similar trepidation. They kicked in $150,000.

Just Say No spokesman Sam Roecker was critical that all of the donations come under the group umbrella, and it's not clear who was giving what. 

"The reports show what we've said all along - we're going to be outspent in this race," Roecker said in an email. "Casino supporters have spent over twice as much to rush their casino through. This remains a competitive race because they waited until the absolute last minute to reveal any specifics about their plan and have made it clear that instead of supporting the community, investors are going to secure sweetheart deals that let them do the bare minimum."

Vote Yes said they are just pouring through their opponents report but they have some serious questions about information that they think may not be included.

“Just Say No was bankrolled by outside casino interests who requested to spend over $1.6 million to defeat our local efforts,” said Drew Skogman, treasurer of Vote Yes in a prepared statement. “This caused the Vote Yes campaign to spend a comparable amount which was significantly more than we originally planned. We were up against outside interests with millions of profits doing or saying anything to deceive, confuse and scare Linn County voters. We had to make sure local residents had the honest facts and could make their own truly informed decision about what was right for our community.”

Campaign Spending

The two camps have done their best Brewster's Millions impression, racing to spend all of that money in little over a month. Combined they've spent all but $42,000.

Just Say No has spent all but about $22,000, largely on advertising and professional services. That's about $728,000 between Jan. 8 and Feb. 19.

Vote Yes has spent $1.48 million between Jan. 11 and Feb. 21, leaving about $20,000 cash on hand.