Hey, big spenders

Strawn leads pack in drumming up campaign cash
Will Klusener Staff Writer

Bob Strawn has raised almost twice as much money as any other candidate for a seat on the City Commission, according to finance reports filed Monday.

Strawn raised about $12,000, followed by Jayme Morris-Hardeman at $7,073; Jim Sherow, $6,893, and Bruce Snead at $5,090. Sherow, Strawn and Morris-Hardeman all had spent about $5,000 as of March 22 reporting cutoff; Snead, about $2,600. The reporting period began Feb. 16.

Candidate Bill Reece raised $803 and spent $700. Edd Savage raised $4,109 and spent $2,106. The other candidate's exact spending totals were Sherow, $5,193; Morris-Hardeman, $4,914; Strawn, $5,113; and Snead, $2,595.

The candidates primarily spent their money on newspaper and radio advertising, as well as yard signs and supplies.

Those monies received but not spent for the April 3 primary election can be carried over to future election campaigns, donated to charitable organizations registered in Kansas, refunded to contributors; be given to a county or state party (Republican/Democratic) committee, or be paid to the state's General Fund, according to the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission in Topeka.

The following individuals and organizations contributed $200 or more to the candidate's campaigns:

Bob Strawn: Roger Sink ($500), David Dreiling ($500), Bayer Construction Co, Inc. ($500), Neil Horton ($250), John Matta ($400), Burke Bayer ($300), Charles Hostetler ($250), Julie Hostetler ($250), Kansas Realtors PAC ($500), Hill Investment and Rentals ($200), Philip Howe ($500), Connie Sink ($500), Tim Ryan ($250), Barbara Tillman ($250), Karen Streeter ($250), Pat Sullivan ($200), Joseph Downey ($250), The So Long Saloon, Inc. ($500), Shilling Construction Co. Inc. ($250), and William Carson ($200).

Jim Sherow: Patricia O'Brien ($300), Burke & Margery Bayer ($200), Carpenter Local 918 PAC ($500), D. Wade & Annette Radina ($300), and Rusty Wilson ($250).

Edd Savage: Felix B. Winston ($500) and Harry Baxter ($400).

Bill Reece did not report any financial contributions above $100.

Jayme Morris-Hardeman: Camelia Owens ($200), Kyle & Paulette Arnold ($300), and Carpenter Local 918 PAC ($500).

Bruce Snead: Russell & Ilene Briggs ($200).

School board candidates are not required to file campaign contribution information until 30 days after the election. Advocacy groups that take a role in campaigns also are required to file contribution and spending documents at different deadlines. The Mercury plans to publish that information as it becomes available.