WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Cary Silverman, the only opponent of Ward 2 D.C. Councilman Jack Evans in the 2008 campaign, ended the most recent fundraising period $248 in debt and $155,000 behind the incumbent, according to reports filed this week.

But the president of the Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association and former president of the Logan Circle Community Association said Thursday he doesn’t need boatloads of cash to beat Evans in a grassroots battle.

“I think money is important to the extent that as long as we have the funds to get the message out that’s all we need,” he said. “I expect [Evans] to outraise and outspend me 20 to 1.”

Silverman collected $1,952 and spent $9,204 between Feb.1 and March 10, ending the period $248.41 in the red, according to the Office of Campaign Finance. Evans, a 17-year incumbent, had $168,197 on hand as of March 10, having collected more than $53,000 in the last month and $322,665 since launching his re-election bid.

A former advisory neighborhood commissioner, Silverman laid out $1,127 for a Feb. 13 fundraiser at the District Chophouse on 7th Street Northwest, an event that netted him less than $1,200. He spent $1,332 on a Feb. 27 happy hour at Indebleu that generated next to nothing. He’s also spent $4,569 at Bethesda-based LOGOmotion Inc. on campaign materials, and another $1,643 at Minuteman Press.

“We spent more than we took in during that period, but we’re not in debt by any means,” Silverman said Thursday.

Evans said Thursday that he’s seen many strong incumbents over the years get “outhustled” by young political upstarts — but he won’t be one of them. All told, the Evans campaign has spent $154,468 to Silverman’s $15,772.

“I’m taking the race very seriously,” Evans said. “Anytime you have an opponent you have to be very, very diligent about what you’re doing.”

mneibauer@dcexaminer.com