He only got started a week ago, but city council candidate Jim Middaugh plans to turn in 700 signatures tomorrow morning at 10 am—which means he only has 300 to go in his bid for public financing (though he’ll probably turn in more, for a cushion in his quest for 1,000 valid contribution forms). Middaugh was canvassing for contributions outside of the mayor’s state of the city address on Friday, alongside Chris Smith, who’s running for a different open seat.

Middaugh sent this note out to the press an hour ago:

Hi Folks.

We’ve done great getting contributions in the door. I’ll be bringing a stack to the Auditor’s office tomorrow at about 10:00 a.m.

I expect to bring in more than 700 from our first week of campaigning.

I’ve been doing community work for a long time but I never thought about being out front of a campaign until Erik’s surprise announcement. My campaign’s success to date shows that there are a lot of people ready to work hard for me and for Portland and I’m honored to have their support.

My message about the value of strong schools, a healthy environment, affordable housing and a growing economy based on sustainability — combined with my year of experience in City Hall — is connecting with the hundreds of volunteers who are helping my campaign and the people I’m meeting face-to-face.

I also want to say that people are very excited by the Voter Owned Elections program. Many people have said how terrific it is that they have an opportunity to participate at the grassroots level. For many, it’s the first time they’ve made a contribution to a candidate. People are talking to their children about the process. People love the idea that someone has a chance to get elected on the basis of $5 contributions instead of $5,000 contributions.

While I’m not there yet, I’m overwhelmed by the level of grassroots support my campaign enjoys. I’m energized, excited and focused on surpassing 1,000 qualifying contributions and winning Erik’s seat.

My first week as a candidate has reminded me about a lot of things that make Portland special. It’s been fun.

Middaugh, who’s seeking the seat his boss, Erik Sten, is vacating, is second only to mayoral candidate Sho Dozono in the amazing pace he’s reeling in contributions. Dozono spent Saturday morning in the Grant High School cafeteria, where highly organized volunteers had tables set up for new signatures, for patching up incomplete contribution forms, or for signing up to take a few forms home to solicit friends and neighbors. Team Dozono claimed to hit the 750 mark in a week, which means they’re on pace to be at the required 1,500 by now—but Dozono said his volunteers would keep going, to have more $5 contributions, and therefore fewer funds from the city.

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