If money makes a difference in races for political office, then it appears Island County District 3 Commissioner candidate Karla Jacks will have a hefty advantage over challenger Rick Hannold on Nov. 4.
According to the state Public Disclosure Commission, the agency that monitors campaign contributions and expenditures, Jacks, a Camano Island Democrat, has amassed a war chest of nearly $39,000.
Hannold, a North Whidbey Republican, raised about $2,500.
Jacks said Thursday the amount she raised was no accident, but the result of steps she took months ago as a political newcomer.
“I actually went to some classes, learning how much to budget and what things would cost,” Jacks said.
The vast difference in contributions is a concern, Hannold said, but added that probably won’t be the deciding factor in the race.
His campaign was “grassroots” from the beginning, he said, and there are better ways to get the message out than with signs or commercials.
“I’ve been putting a lot of miles on my shoes,” Hannold said.
“Besides, I think face-to-face is the best thing.”
Hannold is recording under the mini reporting option, meaning he doesn’t have to report individual contributors or expenditures as long as the total stays under $5,000.
He neared the benchmark around the August primary election and asked a change to the full-reporting option, but missed deadlines for the switch.
He’s had to make do with about a dozen large signs, and about 225 small ones.
As of this week, Hannold had spent about $3,200, said PDC spokeswoman Lori Anderson.
Jacks has spent nearly $26,600, according to the PDC, much of it on professional campaign assistance. A sum total of $4,000 went to Sound Strategies, a Marysville-based consultant, and $10,500 to her campaign manager, Nathan Haugen, grandson of the former state senator Mary Margaret Haugen.
The total spent is likely more as the state’s website hasn’t caught up with an approximately $8,000 expenditure for mailers this week, Jacks said. She noted that she’s still raising money and anticipates her total expenditures and contributions will be about even, though she also hopes to have some left over in the event she runs for a second term.
A mailer for Hannold arrived in mailboxes late this week, but he confirmed Friday that it was not sent or paid for by the Hannold campaign.
Jacks’ largest individual financial supporters were the Island County Democratic Central Committee, contributing a total of $3,950 in two separate payments, and $3,700 from Windermere Real Estate brokers Randy and Marla Heagle on Camano Island.
Other big contributors, all of whom gave $1,000 in separate $500 payments, include Jones Floyd of Seattle, Diane Kendy of Langley, Robin and Stanley Nelson of Shoreline and Craig and Rose Olson of Camano Island.
Appointed District 3 Republican Commissioner Aubrey Vaughan, before being defeated in the primary, raised $7,900 and spent about $12,000, according to the commission’s website.
Vaughan disputed the number in a telephone interview Monday, saying he’s certain the total is less.
Also, Vaughan did not record his contributions and expenditures electronically with the commission, doing so only with written documents mailed to the agency.
Anderson said Vaughan is required by law to file electronically.
Vaughan disputed the claim, maintaining he was in compliance with state rules.
“I’d be real careful with that business right there young man,” Vaughan said when asked about the PDC violation.
Vaughan later apologized and acknowledged he received a letter from the state commission urging him to file electronically.
He said he worked hard to follow the rules while campaigning, which can be extensive and complicated, but he didn’t adhere to the electronic filing requirements solely for lack of computer skills.
In other county races, incumbent Republican Auditor Sheilah Crider raised $3,700, and spent $2,200, while Independent challenger Rebecca Wagner’s totals are unknown as she is using the mini reporting option.
Vying for the county treasurer’s seat, incumbent Democrat Ana Maria Nuñez raised $7,100, and spent $3,800.
Her largest contributors were the Island County Democrats, $1,500 in two payments, and Leigh Power of Coupeville, $400. All other contributions were under $200.
Challenger Wanda Grone, a Republican, is ahead slightly with $7,600 taken in and about $7,100 spent. Her largest supporter was the Island Republican Party with $700, and $300 checks from John Merrill, Oak Harbor, and Daryl Tyras of Houston, Texas. All other contributions were under $200.
