Let's just say Mayor Nancy Denson had no trouble paying the $1,350 qualifying fee.

Denson is on pace to shatter Athens political fundraising records. Her campaign announced a war chest of $85,409 Sunday night, including $20,470 raised in the past five days alone.

Denson raised $108,000 in 2010, a record amount that, with two and a half months to go before Election Day, she is sure to break.

The incumbent formally qualified today to run for re-election. The qualifying period runs through noon Friday.

So far, according to Gail Carter Nash at the Board of Elections, the only local qualifiers are Denson and Dave Hudgins, who's running in District 5 (currently represented by Jared Bailey, who's on the fence about running for re-election, running for mayor or not running at all).

UPDATE: Tim Denson sends word that he'll be arriving at the Arch via the No. 20 bus at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday, along with a group of supporters, and will head down to the Board of Elections to qualify to run for mayor.

Check back late this afternoon for another update.