Cropp, Fenty Chase Different Donors

Negash Shifraw, right, introduces Linda W. Cropp at an event at Abi Ti Ethiopian Restaurant in Northwest. His wife, Abonesh Boku, is at left. Cropp says she has "a broad range of contributions from everyone, from all over this city." (Photos By Lucian Perkins -- The Washington Post)

Fenty's top Zip code is filled with average people ready to gush about their candidate, but Cropp's top Zip code is packed with big-money givers who are not inclined to discuss their political activities. Of 75 Cropp donors in 20036, half wrote checks for $2,000.

Twenty of those checks came from companies associated with Stephen A. Goldberg, a philanthropist and developer at work on major projects near Union Station. Goldberg affiliates gave an additional $60,000 to Cropp last year through an independent political action committee that paid for yard signs and radio ads attacking Fenty. Goldberg did not return calls seeking comment.

Even some of the small donors have big agendas. Larry Berman gave Cropp four contributions totaling $200. He also gave $160 to Fenty.

"I have worked many, many years with Mrs. Cropp," said Berman, executive director of the D.C. Insurance Federation and a lobbyist on health-care issues. "I think she comes up with very pragmatic solutions that would minimize harm."

Loyalty was important to other Cropp givers. The Pedas brothers, Ted and Jim, former movie theater owners who produced Joel and Ethan Coen's first movies, gave Cropp $16,000 through family members and various companies.

"I don't know the other candidates. I know her," Ted Pedas said. "It's very simple."

Staff researcher Derek Willis contributed to this report.