QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should there be new limits on giving to local campaigns?

The Columbia mayor's race is bringing in big money.

The latest campaign finance reports, filed Monday, show challenger Blair Murphy has collected more than $250,000 during the April election cycle. The incumbent mayor, Barbara Buffaloe, has brought in about $70,000 for her campaign.

This isn't the first Columbia mayoral race to draw big money, but these totals are the biggest in recent history.

Murphy has drawn criticism as the candidate of well-heeled interests, while Buffaloe's critics say she's soft on crime and out of touch with real Columbians.

Campaigns can't directly take money from businesses, labor organizations or other candidate committees. Outside that, there are few limits to giving.

With such large fundraising totals, should we put more limits on giving to local campaigns? Let us know by voting in the poll.