Jim Middaugh’s down at the auditor’s office, turning in the last of his 1,682 contribution forms toward his public financing bid, paying $30 to officially become a candidate, and filing his “request for certification” to obtain the public funds if his forms check out.

Middaugh’s now turning to the business of running a campaign for the seat his boss, Erik Sten, recently vacated. He looked at office space in inner NE today, and met with a graphic designer. He’s also “looking for a venue to have a big party, to celebrate all of the people who helped me.”

Middaugh estimates around 200 supporters helped him solicit the $5 contributions since he launched his effort on January 14—just two weeks ago (he asked people to stop giving him money last Thursday).

“It’s been really fun,” Middaugh says (in what’s quickly becoming his catch phrase, as far as Matt Davis and I are concerned). He characterizes the support he’s seen as “really overwhelming. I’ve had more and more people are telling me stories of connections they made with people” while out collecting contributions. “It just feels like we’ve sparked a level of community energy that’s really exciting and positive.”

Now, he’s got to figure out how to harness that energy for the long haul. Both Middaugh and Sho Dozono have enjoyed blitzkrieg-like contribution drives, but it remains to be seen if their volunteer forces will stick around for the less tangible task of getting someone elected.

Middaugh says he’s got “a bunch of people who clearly love this city and are engaged and want to make it better,” and is figuring out how to best take advantage of his fortune.