Mayor Emanuel raises over $11 million in re-election bid

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has raised more than $11 million in his re-election bid, dwarfing the amounts raised and spent by other candidates including an alderman, county commissioner and businessman.

Recently filed campaign finance reports show Emanuel has roughly $6.4 million in the bank after spending nearly $5 million in the final weeks of 2014. Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia reported approximately $818,000 - much of it from unions - in his campaign fund at the end of 2014. Chicago Alderman Bob Fioretti had roughly $196,000 in his war chest at year's end, according to reports filed Thursday evening with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

The election is Feb. 24, though if no candidate wins more than half of the vote there will be an April 7 runoff.

Some have admitted that they won't rival Emanuel's fundraising abilities.

After turning in petitions, Fioretti said he planned to "raise certain dollars and cents in this campaign to be competitive, to make sure we get our votes out, but people want change in this city," according to the Chicago Tribune.

Emanuel's contributors include high-profile Hollywood names. His brother is Ari Emanuel, the CEO of a large talent agency. Those who contributed to Mayor Emanuel's bid for a second term include director Steven Spielberg, who gave $25,000 and producer David Geffen, who added $50,000.

The filings show Willie Wilson, a medical supply company owner and first-time political candidate, raised $163,000 in December. Since then he has reported taking in more than $1 million, most of it his own money. Perennial candidate William "Dock" Walls reported nearly $30,000 for his bid, the bulk of it a $25,000 loan he gave his own campaign.

The mayoral race follows an Illinois governor's contest that shattered campaign fundraising records.

In the last three months of 2014, now-Gov. Bruce Rauner, a venture capitalist who made hefty donations to his campaign, raised $40 million. Former Gov. Pat Quinn, who lost the race, reported roughly $9.3 million in new contributions during the same time period.