How Much Does It Cost To Run For Beverly City Council?

BEVERLY, MA — How much does it cost to unseat a long-time incumbent on Beverly City Council?

For Kathleen Feldman, who upset Don Martin in November's election, the number was $11,906.28. That's how much she spent on her campaign, according to campaign finance reports filed eight days before the election with the city clerk. That was more than double the $5,044.25 Martin's campaign spent on his unsuccessful reelection bid.

For Ward 3 City Councilor Stacy Ames, the price of victory was cheaper at $2,457.59. But that was more than the $1,680.76 her opponent, longtime school committee member Kris Silverstein spent.

Feldman raised a total of $14,142.99, leaving her with $2,236.71 in the final push before the election. Ames had raised a total of $5,859.77 on the date the report was submitted. Those totals include direct contributions the candidates made to their campaigns.

Neither woman had held political office before their November victories and were able to score upsets over a city councilor and school committee member who measured their political experience in decades.