Candidates increase spending as campaigns near end

The last reports detailing candidate’s campaign finances was due Thursday, and the numbers show increased spending as Election Day approaches. Every candidate except for sheriff challenger Bill Clark met the 5 p.m. deadline. 

Commissioner candidates Mark Peck and Russ Bache reported differing campaigns. Bache simply amended his previous filing to include a $300 in-kind donation. 

Peck reported $1,972 in donations. He has spent $2,519 on his campaign since June 19. A look at Peck’s donors show strong support from the local business community; 11 donors are area business owners. 

County Clerk and Recorder Tammy Lauer spent nearly every dollar of the $2,171 she raised. Of the $2,166 she spent on her campaign, only $50 came from her own pocket. 

Challenger Robin Benson has spent more of her own money trying to get her boss’ job than Lauer has spent on her entire campaign. Benson spent $4,978 since the last reports were filed in June. Benson raised $4,435, including $3,000 of her own money. In total, Benson has spent $6,607 of her own money on her campaign. 

Sheriff Roby Bowe increased his fundraising efforts since June. Bowe raised $1,455 and spent $715 on his campaign. While the number is greater than the $242 he had spent on his campaign in June, the money is modest compared to the men vying for his job. 

Write-in candidate Darren Short attempted to make up for lost time, outspending every other county candidate who filed by Thursday. On Sept. 14, Short had only spent $453.70 on his campaign. Since, he has spent $5,349. He has also raised another $2,585 since his September report. 

Challenger Bill Clark was the only county candidate to miss the deadline. Clark’s filings in August indicated the he had county’s biggest campaign budget. Clark previously reported $6,462 in contributions. By mid-August, Clark had spent $4,940 on his campaign. 

Incumbent Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield reported spending $2,049 of his own money. Sheffield has stated he will not accept contributions during his campaign. 

Fellow incumbent Justice of the Peace Stormy Langston raised $868 in contributions since reporting $25 in donations on her June filing. Langston spent $693 on her campaign.

Sheffield and Langston are running for the unified Lincoln County Justice of the Peace position. County commissioners decided to unify the offices in an effort to save costs. 

Election Day is November 4.