Did You Know? Things We Learned from Hamilton's 2022 Mayoral Campaign Financial Statements

Municipal election financial statements rarely attract attention, but perhaps they should. They tell an important story about the cost of running for public office, how campaigns are built, and the financial realities facing anyone who hopes to become Hamilton's next mayor. As another municipal election approaches, these documents offer voters an opportunity to look beyond campaign slogans and gain a better understanding of the machinery behind modern local politics.

Most voters never see what happens after election signs come down. Once the votes are counted, every municipal candidate is required to file a detailed financial statement showing where campaign money came from and how it was spent. The Hamiltonian reviewed the official filings from the 2022 mayoral race and discovered some interesting facts that help explain the realities of modern municipal politics.

Did you know that it took approximately $200,000 to mount a truly competitive campaign for Mayor of Hamilton? The two leading candidates, Andrea Horwath and Keanin Loomis, each raised and spent roughly that amount, while every other candidate who filed a financial statement operated on a tiny fraction of those budgets.

Did you know that campaigning doesn't always end on election day? Both Andrea Horwath and Keanin Loomis finished election night with campaign deficits and extended their campaigns under Ontario's Municipal Elections Act to continue fundraising and pay off outstanding expenses before filing their final financial returns.

Did you know that advertising—not lawn signs—was one of the biggest campaign expenses? Modern mayoral campaigns invest heavily in advertising, digital communications, voter databases and campaign technology, reflecting how municipal campaigns have evolved over the past decade.

Did you know that despite that, election signs are still one of the largest single expenses? Even in the age of social media, tens of thousands of dollars can be spent producing, installing and maintaining signs across Hamilton.

Did you know that one candidate invested the maximum amount permitted in their own campaign? Self-financing can provide campaigns with an important early boost while fundraising efforts are still getting underway.

Did you know that not every campaign relied on large budgets? Some candidates spent only a few thousand dollars, while others reported virtually no campaign spending at all. The financial gap between the front-runners and the rest of the field was enormous.

Did you know that spending more money doesn't guarantee victory? While the two best-funded candidates finished first and second, the election itself was decided by just 1,663 votes, proving that organization and resources matter, but voters ultimately make the final decision.

Did you know that campaign finances reveal more than just dollars and cents? They provide a window into how campaigns are organized, whether they invest in polling, technology, advertising or grassroots outreach, and how candidates choose to communicate with voters.

Did you know that every financial statement becomes part of the public record? Ontario requires candidates to disclose campaign contributions and expenses so voters can see how campaigns were financed and whether they complied with the Municipal Elections Act.

Did you know that not every candidate filed a financial statement? According to information provided by the City of Hamilton, Bob Bratina, Jim Davis and Michael Pattison did not submit financial statements in accordance with section 88.25(1) of the Municipal Elections Act.