The big guns have come out in the Portland fluoridation fight, pushing the supporters of Ballot Measure 26-151 to a huge fundraising lead over their opponents.

But early this week, Healthy Kids, Healthy Portland reported raising more than $500,000 in cash and in-kind contributions. In comparison, Clean Water Portland reported around $175,000.

Topping the major contributions in support of the measure on the May 21 special election ballot was a $169,920 cash contribution from the Northwest Health Foundation. Other big donations include $50,000 from the Washington Dental Service Foundation, $10,000 from the Service Employees International Union Local 49 and $5,000 from the Willamette Dental Management Corp.

The largest contributors to the opponents are from out of state. One is James Garvey, a Kansas real estate developer who has contributed $43,000. Another is California’s Carl and Roberta Deutsch Foundation, which recently contributed $10,000. Another big contributor continues to be Abundant Living Information Services, a Utah health food chain that recently upped its commitment to $9,000.

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