![Minneapolis mayoral hopeful Betsy Hodges, photographed in the studio on Thursday evening, May 9, 2013. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/BVSZHVPXUQE6U2MCBFFIZ5SNSQ.jpg?&w=1080)
The outside money is ramping up in the Minneapolis mayoral race.
Days after supporters of Mark Andrew launched a fund that allows them to pour unlimited money into the mayoral race, Betsy Hodges boosters have done the same.
The "Committee for a Greater Minneapolis" was registered Monday in Hennepin County.
It is chaired by Service Employees International Union employee Leah Solo, who has endorsed Hodges, and the treasurer is attorney Timothy Manning, who donated $500 to Hodges' campaign.
The group that launched last week in support of Andrew has a similar name: "Coalition for a Better Minneapolis."
Unlike candidate committees, which can raise $500 per person, independent expenditure groups like these can raise and spend unlimited funds to support a candidate. They cannot, however, coordinate with the candidate's campaign.
SEIU media relations coordinator Kate Brickman, a co-chair, said the group would explore all media to get its message out, including direct mail, online ads, TV and radio.
"Our committee has a clear goal: to elect Betsy Hodges as the next mayor of Minneapolis," she said. "And we think the best way to do that is by sharing Betsy's great plan for Minneapolis and why we think she's the woman for the job."
