Candidates spend $138K

Candidates vying in tomorrow?s local races have spent a combined $138,000 in hopes of winning the six offices up for grabs this election season.

Leading the way in spending is Democratic District Attorney General nominee Lisa Zavogiannis who has reported spending $52,368 in preparing for both the primary in May and for tomorrow?s general election. She is having to run in both Warren and Van Buren counties.

Second in spending was not her opponent but instead another of similar name, that being, Court Clerk hopeful Lesa Scott who reported spending $24,857. Most of her spending came in a huge barrage immediately after the May primary.

Incumbent District Attorney General Dale Potter was third in spending with $16,050 spent, most of which, like Scott, came after the May primary since he is running as an Independent. Like Zavogiannis, he is running in two counties for the 31st District DA post.

Lesa Scott?s closest opponent in the recent Sherrill Poll was fourth in spending as Randy England spent $8,032, a total which spanned both the Democratic primary and general election.

Trustee front runner Darlene Bryant was next in line at fifth with $7,957 spent during the combined primary and general election. Road Superintendent hopeful Vernice Dunlap was behind her in sixth with $7,203 spent while Independent Trustee candidate Kim Broom came in seventh with $4,367.

She was a handful of dollars ahead of Clerk candidate Sammy Walker who spent $4,351 and Mike Bell who spent $3,602. Republican clerk candidate Mike Neal rounded out the top 10 in spending with $2,181 followed by three-time incumbents, including Road Superintendent Harold Glenn with $1,997 and Sheriff Jackie Matheny with $1,633.

Rounding out the spending list were the Register of Deeds candidates with challenger Ronald Lorance spending $805 and incumbent Terry Smith spending $505. Two candidates, including Sheriff?s candidate Doc Smith and clerk hopeful Scotty Nelson, reported spending nothing.

The spending total, however, will only grow as the reports were filed on July 27. Also, some candidates may have delayed payments on certain campaign materials until after the election, meaning the post-election declaration could add significantly to their overall total.

The cost of campaigning

Total reported expenditures to date by political
candidates
Zavogiannis $52,368
Scott $24,857
Potter $16,050
England $8,032
Bryant $7,957
Dunlap $7,203
Broom $4,367
Walker $4,351
Bell $3,602
Neal $2,181
Glenn $1,997
Matheny $1,633
Lorance $805
Terry Smith $505
Doc Smith $0
Nelson $0

Does not include delayed payments which will be collected following the election