By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Thursday was the filing deadline for pre-election campaign finance reports at the Wood County Board of Elections. The pre-election reports are required to cover all the revenue and expenses up to 20 days prior to the Nov. 5 election. The post-election reports must cover all finances after the pre-election report.
Reports were filed by all the Bowling Green school board and contested city council candidates.
Also filing were the political action committees set up to support and oppose the school levy – Citizens Against Consolidation and Citizens in Support of Our Schools.
Missing were any contributions or expenses for the advertiser going by the name of BG Levy Facts, working in opposition of the Bowling Green City Schools issue on the November ballot.
Campaign finance law requires any Political Action Committee to report its finances. The reports must include where the money comes from – both in financial contributions and in-kind donations which are products or services that benefit the cause.
An individual does not need to report money spent on his or her own. However, that changes if individuals work together.
“If two or more people get together and coordinate in any way,” they must file a report on where the finances came from, and how they were spent, Wood County Board of Elections official Terry Burton said.
PACs are required to file with the local board of elections prior to collecting or spending any money.
Election law requires that the name of the PAC or purchaser of political advertising must be listed on flyers, yard signs, newspaper ads or billboards.
Following is information from the campaign finance reports filed as of Thursday afternoon’s deadline. Listed are the total amounts raised by groups for and against the school levy, plus by candidates for the Bowling Green school board and city council.
Also listed are any donors who contributed $500 or more to the campaigns for or against the school levy.
Citizens Against Consolidation, with Daniel P. Wilson as treasurer.
Total monetary contributions of $2,800 came from eight donors. The group listed no expenditures of the money raised.
Donors of $500 or more include:
- Daniel Wilson, $500.
- David Apple, $1,000.
- Sonja Apple-Chamberlain, $500.
Citizens in Support of Our Schools, with Andrew Newlove as treasurer.
Total monetary contributions of $33,294 came from 158 donors. That amount combined with $27,555 from the last report added up to $60,850 in total funds. In-kind contributions of $753 were also filed. The group listed $52,225 in expenditures so far.
Donors of $500 or more include:
- Andrew Kalmar and Cathy Zwyer, $500.
- Mike and Rachel Barnett, $1,000.
- Kent and Hong Zhu Buehrer, $800.
- Bob Maurer, $500.
- Margaret Maidlow, $500.
- Ginny Stewart, $500.
- Robert Spitler, $2,500.
- Robert Moosbrugger, $500.
- Ken Rieman, $1,000.
- Kevin Cochrane, $1,000.
- Phipps, Levin & Hebeka, $1,500.
- Mike and Terri Marsh, $2,000.
- Andy and Megan Newlove, $500.
- Dick and Laurie Newlove, $500.
- Brent Buehrer, $1,500.
- Kent Buehrer, $1,500.
- Piping Industry Professionals, $1,000.
- UA Local 50, $1,000.
Board of Education candidates
Jill Carr
- Total monetary contributions of $3,525, plus $225 brought from the last report.
Grant Chamberlain
- No monetary donations were reported. In-kind contribution from himself of $2,066 was recorded.
Tracy Hovest
- Total monetary contributions of $2,450, and in-kind contribution of $148.
Ryan Myers
- Total monetary donations of $990 reported, plus in-kind contribution of $100.
Brian Smith
- Registered no monetary contributions, but filed in-kind contribution from himself of $701.
Ginny Stewart
- Total monetary contributions of $4,475, and in-kind contribution of $196.
Richard Strow
- Total monetary contributions of $2,090, plus in-kind contribution of $194.
Peggy Thompson
- Total monetary contributions of $1,110, a loan of $1,300, and in-kind contribution of $134.
BG City Council Third Ward candidates:
Ryan Holley, Republican
- Total monetary contributions of $4,135, and in-kind contributions of $900.
Rachel Phipps, Democrat
- Total monetary contributions $11,405, and in-kind contributions of $400.
BG City Council Fourth Ward candidates:
Jeff Dennis, Democrat
- Total monetary contributions $18,475, and in-kind contributions of $1,602.
Bill Herald, Republican
- Total monetary contributions $3,005, and in-kind contributions of $2,811.
