With all campaign finance reports due Monday to the City Clerk, District 5 aldermanic candidate Troy Thiel leads his opponent, Ald. Robbie Webber, in campaign fundraising.

According the reports, Thiel has raised $8,553, compared to Webber's $4,742.

The nearly $4,000 difference in funds was not the only contrast to be found between the two campaign finance documents. According to the reports, Thiel received much of his money through conduits — organizations that have registered with the State Elections Board in order to solicit funds from individuals on behalf of candidates.

Of Thiel's $8,553 in campaign contributions, campaign finance reports documents say approximately $3,500 came from conduits, including the Wisconsin Realtors' conduit.

Webber reported receiving no money from conduits.

Thiel did not respond to repeated interview requests from The Badger Herald as of press time.

However, Webber said she chose not to raise any money through conduits.

"I don't have any conduit money at all because I just don't believe in it," Webber said. "I think it's kind of a frightening idea to have a bundle of checks from an organization, and they're like, 'Oh, by the way, these are all from the same industry.'"

Conduit money is different from political action committee money, as there is a limit in local races of $200 in PAC money.

However, an unlimited amount of money can come from a conduit in an aldermanic race, as long as no more than $250 is cited from one individual person.

"They're individual checks, they are from individual people, but then that organization sends all those checks with a letter that says 'These checks are these groups' (checks),'" Webber said. "And to me, this is a way of getting around the limit on PAC donations."

Thiel, a Realtor with First Weber Reality, has received the endorsement of the Dane County Democratic Party Executive Board, among other organizations, and the support of several Madison alders, including Ald. Lauren Cnare, District 3, and Ald. Zach Brandon, District 7.

He is challenging Webber in the April 3 election.