In what appears to be a fundraising record for county executive races in Northampton and Lehigh counties, Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan has raised over a half million dollars in his bid to become Northampton County's Executive.

In a campaign finance report filed late last Friday afternoon, Callahan disclosed contributions of $161,983 between the primary and Oct. 21. This brings his total to $513,456 from nearly 600 individual contributors.

Callahan's Republican opponent, Bangor Mayor John Brown, raised $11,000 over the same time period.

Going into the final days of the campaign, Callahan has a 17 to 1 cash advantage over Brown. Callahan has $118,540 cash on hand compared to Brown's $6,817.

Callahan campaign manager Eric Nagy, however, is concentrating on grassroots appeal, claiming 25,000 voter contacts since July.

"John has been knocking doors and feels very encouraged by the positive response from voters," Nagy said.

The Brown campaign is also relying on grassroots appeal, with Brown focused on direct voter contact.

Brown has also received a little help from the state Republican party, which spent $10,882.49 for campaign literature and postage on his behalf.

Winning the money race is no guarantee of victory. Just four years ago, when Northampton County Executive John Stoffa sought re-election, he refused to take money from anyone.