Before the nomination papers even hit the printer, Tim Cartmell’s campaign war chest was already bursting at the seams, stuffed with nearly half a million dollars. Roughly half of that comes from donors who just happen to have “real estate,” “construction,” or “development” in their job titles, pure coincidence, surely.
Critics are calling it the political equivalent of a pre-paid mortgage on City Hall, suggesting Cartmell’s campaign is less “grassroots” and more “AstroTurf.” Even more eyebrow-raising are whispers that the UCP’s donor network has quietly adopted him like a particularly promising condo project.
While Cartmell insists he’ll represent “everyday residents,” observers note that few everyday residents can wire five-figure sums before breakfast. As nominations officially open, some wonder if the race is even worth running, or if the bulldozers have already paved the way.
After all, who needs democracy when you’ve got developers?
