LinkedIn founder, Realtor group stroke big checks in mayoral race

This story first ran on BusinessDen.com, a BizWest news partner.

DENVER — LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman has put up nearly $780,000 to support Denver mayoral candidate Mike Johnston, while Connecticut hedge fund billionaire Steve Mandel has contributed $250,000.

Opponent Kelly Brough, meanwhile, has $450,000 in contributions from the National Association of Realtors behind her.

The fundraising side of the Denver mayoral race has heated up in recent weeks, particularly in the form of donations to outside groups supporting select candidates.

Through the end of January, the bulk of contributions in the race were being made by individuals directly to candidate campaign committees. Those contributions…