The amount of money raised by Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk dwarfed the fund of her challenger, Nancy Mistele, according to 2008 records announced this week.

Falk campaign manager Melissa Mulliken said by Dec. 31, 2008, Falk raised $215,000 in donations.

Conversely given the same deadline, Mistele had raised only $16,200, Mistele campaign manager Jon Horne said.

Although the numbers may appear to be a staggering difference, Horne attributes Mistele’s low fundraising amount to her announcing her campaign for Dane County Executive in mid-December.

“Nancy announced her campaign mid-December,” Horne said. “We had about two weeks of active campaigning which reflected in finance report.”

Horne pointed out that Mistele had earned approximately $1,000 for every day her hat was in the ring.

According to Horne, Falk’s fundraising advantage is the product of her running in two regional campaigns and holding the position of Dane County executive for the past 12 years.

Falk has more than 100 local elected officials from Dane County endorsing her including Dane County village presidents, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Gov. Jim Doyle and Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard, Mulliken said.

“The support that we’ve received since we’ve begun the campaign has been overwhelmingly deep,” Mulliken said. “We have a broad support of people who appreciate the job she’s done and feel strongly she should be reelected.”

In January, Doyle hosted a reception to raise money for Falk’s campaign, Mulliken said. She added U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold will host an event in Falk’s honor in March.

Despite Falk’s overwhelming lead in fundraising, Horne said Mistele has received broad support from the community, including local grassroots organizations, such as the Realtor Association of South Central Wisconsin as well as the Madison Area Builders Association.

Horne added that the Tavern League of Wisconsin has endorsed Mistele, however, several representatives from the league were not available for any comment as of press time.

Horne said Mistele is continuing her fundraising campaign today at a private venue in Middleton.

Horne added Mistele has a “full slate” until Election Day on April 7.

University of Wisconsin sophomore Ethan Komoroske, a member of UW College Republicans, said Tuesday he has been contacted by the Mistele campaign to begin a campus group.

Horne said Komoroske will also be organizing a coalition for campus safety in support of Mistele’s bid to become the next Dane County executive.

“We don’t think this is an election that will go to the highest bidder,” Horne said. “It’s not about how much money is going to the bank, it’s how we’re going to keep the county safe.”

A big issue of the campaign will be Falk’s handling of the Brittany Zimmermann case.

A report detailing the 911 Center’s response to that call is due out later this month.