If money is the mother's milk of politics, and it is, Buckeye mayoral candidate Jackie Meck has a huge advantage.

In the three-way race, the latest spending reports show that Meck's tab to date is $19,316.

Compare that to the incumbent, Bobby Bryant, whose report says he's spent $500 or less, and to Michael Todd, who lists $406 in expenditures.

That's only half of the story. The election is Tuesday, and Meck has about $18,000 that he's ready to spend should there be a run-off, which is highly likely.

Bryant and Todd express indignation at Meck's spending habits. "Why would you (contribute) $35,000 when you get a job that pays $21,000?" asked Todd.

Says Bryant, "I don't think this should be turned into a money game."

I have news for Todd and Bryant. All elections pivot on a candidate's coffers. Think of the millions spent to be in the White House, a job that pays $400,000, or the millions spent in congressional races.

That Meck is using his own resources is entirely up to him. The same option is available to the others, too, as is seeking campaign contributions from supporters.

That's what Meck did two years ago in his unsuccessful bid to become mayor. Then, he raised a ton of cash from developers, and was roundly criticized. In a small town like Buckeye, it's pretty easy to make the connection: If a developer contributes to your campaign, at best he's buying access; at worst, he's trying to buy favors.

Meck is dipping into his private funds to avoid a repeat of 2006. He is free to do so.

I don't know how much of an "issue" this will be in the waning days of the campaign. Hit with the charge of trying to buy your way into the mayor's seat won't be a factor in a city like Phoenix.

But in Buckeye, it's anybody's guess. We'll know on Tuesday just how much of a factor.