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GREENSBORO — The economic pinch has found a new victim: political candidates.

For those hoping to win election to the Greensboro City Council this fall, 2009 has been a tough year for fundraising.

So far this election, candidates have garnered $50,000 less in donations from individual contributors than at this point in 2007. On average, City Council candidates have raised about $3,700 less from individuals than last election, according to campaign reports.

Tight campaign budgets mean candidates must think twice about how they raise and spend money. And with even the best fundraisers bringing in less dough, the situation could create an opportunity for political newcomers to catch up to incumbents.

“The economy is tough,” said Councilman Zack Matheny, who has raised about $16,000 less than at this point in 2007. “Dollar amounts are lower. It’s a tough environment out there.”

Every two years in Greensboro, candidates raise thousands of dollars for campaign swag such as bumper stickers and yard signs and advertisements in newspapers and on television.

Most of the money raised comes from individuals, who can donate up to $4,000 per candidate. Only candidates who plan to raise more than $3,000 turn in reports.

This year, on average, City Council candidates have raised about $7,000 apiece from individuals, according to campaign reports.

At this same point in the election cycle two years ago, City Council candidates had accepted an average of $10,777 from individuals.

“It’s definitely been the economy. I have lots and lots of smaller contributions, and that’s fine,” said Mayor Yvonne Johnson, the city’s best fundraiser.

So far this year, Johnson has taken in about $29,000 from individuals. Two years ago at this point in the election, she had raked in about $53,400.

“It means you have to be really smart about what you do and what you don’t do,” she said.

Some candidates have dipped into their personal savings to build up their coffers.

Mary Rakestraw, an incumbent at-large councilwoman now running in District 4, took a $5,000 loan from her husband.

“If we don’t believe in our campaign, how can I ask someone else to contribute?” Rakestraw asked.

Councilwoman Sandra Anderson Groat, who said she got a late start fundraising because she wanted to resolve outstanding debts for her closed business first, took a $4,000 loan from her husband that makes up the bulk of her campaign chest.

First-time candidate George Hartzman, who is running against Matheny in District 3, also gave himself a $2,000 loan.

Having a stash of cash is always nice. But the key is who is raising money against whom in which race, said David Olson, UNCG political science professor emeritus.

The situation could create an opportunity for political newcomers who don’t have the name recognition of incumbents. Newcomers may be able to take advantage of sagging numbers and close the funding gap between themselves and the incumbents.

“It certainly would increase the chance of the new challengers,” Olson said. “That would be an interesting thing to look at in the election returns.”

In the at-large race, challenger Nancy Vaughan, also a former councilwoman, leads the fundraising pack with more than $17,000 in contributions. The rest of the candidates — incumbents and challengers alike — have raised less than $5,000.

But in most races, newcomers trail the incumbents.

First-time mayoral candidate Bill Knight has brought in about $15,000 from contributions and a loan. But that’s still less than half the money raised by Johnson.

Matheny — even with less money raised this year than in his first campaign in 2007 — has more than three times the amount of his nearest competitor, Hartzman.

In the District 4 race, challenger Joel Landau has raised more money in individual contributions than Rakestraw. But the loan to her campaign puts her total about $3,400 ahead of Landau.

Still, Landau sees his fundraising abilities as a good sign.

“If you look at what we have been able to raise so far comparatively — and from who — it shows greater popular support from me,” Landau said.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com