UPDATE: Fund-raising numbers for all the candidates appeared toay. As Mr. Schorsch points out in the comments, it’s not fair or balanced of me not to include the others in this post. So, after the jump you’ll now find Wagman’s press release and a rundown of all the candidates finances …

The following paragraph will appear in next week’s print edition of Creative Loafing in The Week That Was column:

Money in the bank: St. Pete’s mayoral candidates reported their first quarter fund-raising numbers last week. Per the St. Pete Times, the big winner was Deveron Gibbons, who raised $117,000 from January to March. Scott Wagman issued a press release reporting donations of $74,097.25, with 90% of the contributions coming from locals, though the Times points out he loaned himself $20,000 of that haul. Jamie Bennett’s website reports the candidate managed $30,918.47 “in cash and in-kind contributions.” Bill Foster had yet to report at press time, but he told the Times his first quarter report will show he raised between $23,000 and $24,000. Rounding out the field, Kathleen Ford reported $9,325 in donations plus another $3,242 in in-kind contributions (she blames her late entry into the race), Sharon Russ reported no activity and Paul Congemi loaned his campaign $10.

And now, the Wagman press release:

ST. PETERSBURG: Mayoral candidate Scott Wagman released his first-quarter fundraising report today with great pride and optimism about his candidacy.

“In these tough economic times, being able to receive this kind of financial support at this early stage is very encouraging,” said first-time candidate Scott Wagman. “As I have traveled the city on my ‘mission to listen’ I have heard a resounding call for change and action. Our city and its residents are hungry for strong new leadership and these early results are a great indication that our message and my candidacy are resonating with voters,” stated Wagman.

For the first financial quarter the Scott Wagman campaign will report revenue of $74,097.25 with $54,097.25 donated by 204 contributors. Of these early supporters an impressive 90% are local residents.

“In just three months we have seen our candidate go from virtually no name recognition to becoming a serious contender to be elected the next mayor of St. Petersburg,” said campaign co-manager Mitch Kates. “Think about it: In three months Scott Wagman has been able to put together a fully functioning political organization from the ground up, blow away the field with our online communication platforms, and complete door-to-door field efforts by volunteers in over 40 city precincts. All in all, we are very confident in our ability to win in November,” stated Kates.

For more information about Scott Wagman and his campaign, go to his website at www.scottwagman.com <http://www.scottwagman.com>  or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for-up-to-date information.