Fayetteville City Council Candidates Disclose Finances

FAYETTEVILLE -- Candidates in contested City Council races have spent more than $45,000 so far, according to fundraising reports filed this week.

Candidates who spend or receive at least $500 are required to file pre-election reports. All contributions over $50 and all expenditures over $100 must be listed.

By the Numbers

Campaign Spending

Candidates in contested races for Fayetteville City Council reported contributions and expenditures on financial reports filed Tuesday and Wednesday.

CandidateTotal Monetary ContributionsTotal Expenditures

Ward 1

Adella Gray$3,205$2,677

Sonia Davis Gutierrez$1,805$1,204

Paul Phaneuf$6,081$913

Ward 2

Joshua Crawford$5,184$4,540

Mark Kinion$1,025$1,252

Robert Patton$5,483$6,628

Ward 4

Ray Boudreaux$4,825$4,825

Craig Honchell$3,400$3,077

D’Andre Jones$1,352$1,068

John La Tour$9,965$17,395

Phillip McKnight$1,965$1,896

Robert Williams$0$471

Source: Washington County Clerk’s Office

Webwatch

Candidate financial reports can be viewed at the Washington County Clerk’s page on www.co.washington.a….

Sonia Davis Gutierrez in Ward 1 and Phillip McKnight in Ward 4 did not meet the 4:30 p.m. deadline Tuesday, but both filed reports with the Washington County Clerk's Office the following day. The report covers all campaign activity through Oct. 25.

John La Tour, a certified public accountant running for outgoing Alderwoman Rhonda Adams' Ward 4 seat, reported the most spending, with $17,395 in expenditures. Robert Williams, another Ward 4 candidate, spent the least: $471.

La Tour received $9,965 in contributions from more than 25 donors, according to his financial report. He loaned his campaign $12,156 -- double the amount any other candidate reported in contributions.

La Tour's largest donors, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, gave $2,000 combined. The Springdale couple, featured in the TV show "19 Kids and Counting," also gave $4,000 combined to both Paul Phaneuf's and Joshua Crawford's campaigns, according to their reports.

Phaneuf, a Ward 1 candidate, reported $6,081 in total contributions. Crawford, in Ward 2, reported $5,184 total.

The three candidates have been the most vocal opponents of the Civil Rights Administration ordinance, which the City Council approved, 6-2, Aug. 20. Earlier that week, many residents received automated phone calls from a person who identified herself as Michelle Duggar and claimed the ordinance would allow men to use women's and girls' "restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping areas and other areas that are designated for females only."

An amendment added at the Aug. 20 meeting made clear the ordinance would in no way permit a person "to enter any gender-segregated space for any unlawful purpose." A group called Repeal 119 collected more than 4,100 signatures, putting the contentious ordinance to a Dec. 9 public vote.

The second-highest spender so far is Robert Patton, a part-time physician at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks. Patton, who is running against incumbent Alderman Mark Kinion in Ward 2, reported $5,483 in contributions from about 20 donors, including $2,000 from the Rosemary Conrad Trust; $500 from Buffington Homes of Fayetteville; $200 from local developer Mark Zweig; and $100 from John Firmin, a Washington County Justice of the Peace in District 11. Patton loaned his campaign $1,500.

Kinion reported a $1,300 personal loan to his campaign. His top contributor, at $250, was the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce's political action committee.

Karen Sebold, an assistant professor in political science at the University of Arkansas, said the top spender in local races doesn't always win.

"But without (money), you will have little chance," Sebold said.

"Name recognition and party status are going to be the most important indicators of success at the local level," she added. "Number of yard signs are one of many factors that aid in success. Local candidates need to shake hands, talk to voters in local social and political groups and make the round to all local dinners, festivals and community events."

Adella Gray, who is up for re-election in Ward 1, reported a $250 contribution from the Chamber of Commerce committee as well as $500 from the Fayetteville Firefighters Association, $350 from Rhonda Adams, $100 from former Ward 3 Alderman Bobby Ferrell and $100 from Pete Loris, a Democrat on the Washington County Election Commission. Gray, like Kinion, Patton, La Tour and several other candidates, loaned her campaign money. In Gray's case, it was $2,420.

The two-term incumbent is being challenged by Phaneuf and Sonia Davis Gutierrez, who co-founded the New Design School in Fayetteville.

Gutierrez's top contributor, at $200, was Stephen Smith, communication professor at the University of Arkansas.

Ray Boudreaux reported the second highest amount of contributions ($4,825) -- behind La Tour -- in a crowded Ward 4 race. Boudreaux contributed $2,825 to his own campaign. His next highest donor, Bob Nickle, who gave $250, served as chairman of the Airport Board when Boudreaux was director of the municipal airport.

Craig Honchell reported $500 contributions from Charlie Sloan, Mark Marquess, Bill Goforth and Charlie Goforth, all of Fayetteville.

Phillip McKnight's top contributors were neighbors Maxine and John Williams and Scott Busch. Each gave $250. Most of McKnight's contributions came in increments of less than $50, according to his financial report.

D'Andre Jones listed Esther Parker as his top contributor, at $300. Jones received a $355 loan from Lance Reed of Fayetteville.

Robert Williams did not report any monetary contributions since Aug. 15.

Candidates' spent the money they received in a variety of ways. Many put contributions toward yard signs, direct mail, push cards, stickers, T-shirts, fundraising events and online advertising.

La Tour, for example, reported spending more than $6,400 on printed material and yard signs. He and Patton were the only two candidates who listed a paid campaign worker on the financial reports. Donna Robertson received $2,690 for working on the La Tour campaign. Patton paid Dustin Seaton of Blue Tent Consulting $1,500 to work on his campaign.

McKnight spent $495 on an electronic get-out-the-vote app called Voter Gravity. The app offers map-based walk lists for candidates and integrated phone-banking services, according to its website.

Gray paid $25 for a list of registered voters in her ward.

Final campaign contribution and expenditure reports for all municipal candidates are due 30 days after the end of the month in which the candidate's name appears on the ballot.

NW News on 10/31/2014

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