ROGERS — The five candidates for mayor have raised campaign money from a variety of sources, and accumulated a wide range of contributions.
Each candidate said they are happy with the state of their campaign finances.
Pre-election contribution and expenditure reports were due Tuesday for candidates who raised or spent more than $500.
Greg Hines’ campaign collected $43,190, according to his report. Marvin Bair, who did not file a report, said he’d raised and spent less than $500.
Contributors included companies and residents both in and out of Rogers, donating from a few dollars up to $2,000.
However much they raised, the candidates spent their money on local campaign staples, such as radio advertising, direct mailings and signs.
Janine Parry, a professor of political science at the University of Arkansas, said there is more research about the impact of money on national races than in local races.
That research, she said, shows that large war chests can help — to a degree.
“It seems there is a peak where everybody who is going to know your name already knows your name,” she said. “We really don’t know what that threshold is.”
On the other hand, Parry said, having a lot of money probably won’t hurt a candidate. Having too little can be a problem.
“If no one’s aware of what you’re running for or has heard your name, that can make it much more difficult,” she said.
Parry said the identities of contributors probably have little effect on local races.
“It’s the kind of thing candidates usually pay attention to,” she said. “Especially in low-profile elections like a mayor’s race, most voters don’t really know what to make of it.”
Campaign Contributions
Greg Hines
Total contributions: $43,190
Total spent: $29,111
Balance: $14,079
Notable contributors: Don and John Tyson, $1,000 total; Jim and Tom Walton, $1,500 total.
Notable expenses: Polls, $7,500; direct mail, $7,180.
Hines said he thought the number of business-related contributions showed broad support from the community. Several of the businesses whose employees contributed, such as Crafton Tull Sparks, an architecture and engineering firm, regularly do business with the city.
Hines, a Rogers alderman, said his voting record should make it clear that donors cannot expect special favors.
“As far as the business owners, they have a vested interest in the city of Rogers,” he said.
Kurt Maddox
Total contributions: $24,955, including a $17,000 loan from self
Total spent: $19,778
Balance: $5,176
Notable contributors: Self, $17,000 loan; Jim Duggar, $2,000.
Notable expenses: Direct mail, $13,234; other advertising, $2,506.
The bulk of Maddox’s campaign fund came from a $17,000 loan he made to his campaign.
“I really didn’t focus on a fundraising effort,” he said. “In these bad economic times, I have a hard time asking people to pony up for something like this.”
Maddox said most outside contributions came unsolicited. He said he’s not sure if that approach will pay off.
“I guess it all depends on what people are looking for — if they’re looking at somebody that’s going to work the phones for six hours to ask for money,” he said. “I got out among the people and asked for their vote.”
Joe Mills
Total contributions: $15,200
Total spent: $11,811
Balance: $4,079
Notable contributors: Self, $8,000, plus a $691 loan from self; Ben Lipscomb, Rogers city attorney, $200
Notable expenses: Signs, $3,808; website, $2,065
Mills said he realizes he has been outspent, but said he’d stuck to his campaign plan.
“I’m hoping voters will look at my qualifications, not how many ads I’ve had,” he said.
He said he was also pleased with the mix of business and individual donations he received.
Steve Mankin
Total contributions: $7,723
Total spent: $6,533
Balance: $1,190
Notable contributors: Ronald Katz Trust, Los Angeles, $2,000; West Foods, Lowell, $2,000.
Notable expenses: Radio advertising, $4,506; other advertising, $1,743.
Mankin, with the second-lowest campaign collection among the candidates, said he is glad his campaign has been able to cover all expenses with the money raised.
He noted the majority of his donations came from individuals, including family members.
“Things happen person-to-person and people-to-people, and that’s what we’ve done,” he said.
Marvin Bair
Bair said Wednesday he raised and spent less than $500 and did not file a pre-election contribution and expenditure report.
Tena O’Brian, Benton County clerk, said the reports are only required from candidates whose contributions or expenses exceed $500.
Bair said he’s raised about $150 and spent about $440. He said he hopes his campaign can set a good example.
“I’m showing people you don’t have to have thousands and thousands of dollars to run for office,” he said.
Source: Staff Report