Campaign budgets big and small vie for election

A look through candidates’ contribution reports reveals varying approaches in county campaigns. Two contribution reports have been required so far. The most recent report deadline was June 23, three weeks after the June 3 primary election. The next deadline is Oct. 23. Montana law limits individual’s contributions to $170 per candidate per election in races below the statewide level.

In what appears to be the tightest contest, incumbent Sheriff Roby Bowe considerably lags behind challengers Bill Clark and Darren Short in contributions. Bowe reports seven total contributions adding to $807. According to his filings, Bowe has spent $242.74 on his campaign.

In comparison, Short, who will run as a write-in candidate, reported 35 contributions for $3,955. Short has contributed $400 of his own money and had only spent $453.70 by Sept. 14. A few of Short’s contributions have come from outside Lincoln County. Donors from Idaho, Arizona and North Dakota have contributed to his campaign.

Clark has reported 40 contributions for $6,461.99. He last filed Aug. 21. All of Clark’s donations have come from within Lincoln County, except for a $150 contribution from an individual only identified as “Ken.” Clark has spent at least $4,940 on his campaign.

There is also a considerable difference in approach taking place in the county commissioner race. Challenger Russell Bache eliminated incumbent Tony Berget during the primary election with $1,469.79 of his own money. The only report available on Bache’s campaign was filed May 19. There is no post-primary report currently available online.

Mark Peck, Bache’s opponent in the Nov. 4 election, reported 44 contributions for $6,736.27 in his June 18 filing. The most recent contribution was April 26. Jim Hammons and Gregory Larson, both of Troy, were the first to donate to his campaign on Jan. 13. Peck reported spending $4,920, including $425 of his own money, on his campaign. Peck’s expenditures include $591.77 on 125 yard signs from SignsOnTheCheap.com.

The unified justice of the peace contest is a modest affair. Incumbent Jay Sheffield has intentionally not received any contributions. Fellow incumbent Stormy Langston has received a total of $25 in contributions. The closure of the Lincoln County Justice Court in Eureka next year leaves room for only one justice of the peace.

Lincoln County Clerk and Recorder Tammy Lauer has spent $500 of her own money, while challenger Robin Benson has invested $3,607 of her own cash. Lauer has received $475 in contributions, while Benson has received $195.

A final contributions report is due Nov. 24. Montana law limits individual’s donations to governor candidates at $650. Individual donations in other statewide elections are capped at $320.