Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer has raised $280,345 in his bid for re-election, almost as much as he raised four years ago when he was elected, according to recent filings with the city clerk's office.

When Tauer was first elected in 2003, he raised $300,258. His opponents, an Aurora councilman and an Arapahoe County commissioner, raised as much money as he did, combined.

This time, Tauer's only opponent, Francis Peter Maks Jr., has raised $1,000, which he contributed to himself.

With part of it, he has bought two copies of Leadership by Rudy Giuliani, two name tags, 1,000 fliers and a P.O. box key, according to his filing.

Maks Jr., a 66-year-old retired grounds man who worked for electrical construction companies, said he bought the book because Giuliani "has some wonderful ideas that can be applied to the city of Aurora."

"Rudy attacked crime," Maks said. "When he inherited New York City, the city was a basket case."

Despite the vast difference in fundraising, Tauer said last week he doesn't think the race is all about the money. "I don't think money wins races if you don't have good ideas," he said.

The last day to submit a petition to run for mayor or City Council in Aurora is Tuesday. Candidates for mayor and at-large council seats must submit a petition signed by 100 registered voters. Candidates running for a council ward need 50 signatures. Maks Jr. said he has 88 signatures and will have more than a hundred by Tuesday. "The Titanic will know that there's an iceberg waiting for him out there," he said.

Money raised by city council candidates

Ward 4

• Molly Markert, incumbent, $12,039

• Gary T. Zimmerman, not available

Ward 5

• Sue Sandstrom, incumbent, $9,718

• Alfonso Nuñez, $13,905

• Don Toussaint, $2,298

Ward 6

Bob Broom, incumbent, $11,476

At-large candidates

• Ryan Frazier, incumbent, $64,761

• Brad Pierce, incumbent, $19,907

• Carol Wilkins, $22

• Duane Senn, $4,705

• Pam Bennett, $3,235

Source: Aurora city clerk's office

morenoi@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2895