Jim Graham campaign questions challenger's 'pledges'

What's a pledge?

That's what Chuck Thies, spokesman for Council member Jim Graham's re-election bid, asked when he looked at potential challenger Jeff Smith's campaign finance report Monday.

The Citizens for Jeff Smith Exploratory Committee filed an exploratory report showing contributions and "pledges," according to Thies who checked out the competition's report. (Such filings are not available online.)

"This not a Jerry Lewis telethon. This is a campaign," Thies said.

Christopher Mammen, Smith's campaign chairman, explained in an e-mail that there are no more pledges -- there's money is in the bank or is on the way. "Through the month of January, the Citizens for Jeff Smith Exploratory Committee raised a total of $28,250 (includes December and January contributions). Cash on hand, totals $16,595.66. We have no outstanding contributions pledged, all contributions were received by the reporting deadline in form of check, credit and/or cash," he wrote.

-- Nikita Stewart