With roughly 4,400 ballots returned to the elections office for the April 23 election, fundraising and spending has slowed for all candidates.
Not so for Trust Islanders, the only registered Political Action Committee active in the county council races. The single-year PAC reported receiving an additional $8,100 on April 13, increasing its total donations to $23,925, from 57 people.
The new contributions include $5,000 from George and Susan Swindells, and $2,000 from Henry and Holly Wendt.
Trust Islanders PAC has spent $17,603, including $17,682 in reported independent expenditures for Bob Jarman, Rick Hughes and Brian McClerran, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.
The number of ballots returned to date represents about 37 percent of 12,000 registered voters. The February primary election recorded a 53 percent turnout, compared to a usual general election turnout of 80 to 90 percent.
Ballots for the April 23 election must either be deposited in the courthouse ballot box by 8 p.m. or postmarked before midnight on election day.
Lisa Byers continues to lead in both fundraising and spending. She has raised $30,439 and spent $25,789; she reported no campaign debt. Her opponent, Rick Hughes, has raised $11,918 and spent $11,954, with a campaign debt of $3,129. Hughes was recently endorsed by Trust Islanders, which made independent expenditures on his behalf of $2,399.
Lovel Pratt has raised $23,372 and spent $19,193; she has no debt. Her opponent, Bill Jarman, has raised $17,953 and spent $12,933. Jarman reports a campaign debt of $4,900 and independent expenditures of $8,901 from Trust Islanders.
Jamie Stephens has raised $19,399 and spent $15,628. He reports a campaign debt of $5,000 and no independent expenditures. Brian McClerran, his opponent, has raised $7,475 and spent $6,469. In addition, McClerran lists $6,381 in Trust Islanders’ independent expenditures and no campaign debt.
Candidate contributions and candidate expenditures do not include independent expenditures.
— Steve Wehrly, Journal reporter
