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 in next month’s general election.
According to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission, the state agency that monitors campaign contributions and expenditures, Jacks, a Camano Island Democrat, has amassed a war chest of nearly $39,000. That stacks up to just $2,500 raised by Hannold, a North Whidbey Republican.
In an interview with the South Whidbey Record Thursday, Jacks said the amount she raised was no accident, but the result of steps she took months ago as a political newcomer who was about to start down the trail of her first campaign for public office.
“I actually went to some classes, learning how much to budget and what things would cost,” Jacks said.
Months later, with the Nov. 4 election now less than two weeks away, it’s no surprise that Jacks said she feels ready, confident that she’s done what she can to get her message out to voters.
Hannold said the vast difference in contributions is a concern but that he doesn’t believe it will be the deciding factor in the race. His campaign has been a “grass roots” effort 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, which means he doesn’t have to report individual contributors or expenditures as long as the total remains under $5,000. He neared the benchmark around the August primary election and requested a change to use the full reporting option but failed to meet deadlines associated with the switch outlined in state statutes. So, he’s had to make do with about a dozen large signs, and about 225 small ones.
Unlike others using the mini reporting option, however, Hannold’s total contributions were recorded because of his attempt to switch to the full reporting option. Lori Anderson, spokeswoman for the state commission, said as of this week Hannold had spent about $3,200.
By comparison, Jacks has spent nearly $26,600, according to the PDC’s website, and much of it was 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 longtime state senator, Mary Margaret Haugen.
Jacks said 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. She also noted that she’s still raising money, and that she anticipates her total expenditures and contributions will be about even, though she also hopes to have some left over to use if 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, given in four separate payments.
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. Each was listed in order as they appeared on the commission’s website.
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 with the South Whidbey Record on Monday, saying he’s certain the total was 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 confirmed he was required by law to do so, and thus it was a campaign violation.
“Once they know they’re going to spend $5,000 or hit that benchmark, they need to electronically file,” Anderson said.
When asked about the violation, Vaughan hotly disputed the claim, maintaining he was in full compliance with state rules. He also warned The Record several times about reporting on any breach of campaign finance laws.
“I’d be real careful with that business right there, young man,” Vaughan said.
The commissioner called back less than an hour later and apologized for getting upset. He also acknowledged that he received a letter from the state commission that urged him to file electronically. He said he worked hard to follow the rules while campaigning, which can be extensive and complicated, but that he didn’t adhere to the electronic filing requirements solely for lack of computer skills.
Last of the commissioner candidates, Erhard “Marc” Hennemann raised $3,100 and spent $1,400. All of his contributions were less than $150.
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 County Republican Party with $700, and $300 checks from John Merrill, Oak Harbor, and Daryl Tyras of Houston, Texas. All other contributions were under $200.
Finally, Christa Canell, a Republican bumped from the race in the August primary, received $3,800 and spent the same. Her largest financial backer was Benjamin and Jamie Molina, $250 each for a total of $500, from Langley.
In state races for the 10th Legislative District Position 2, incumbent Dave Hayes, R-Camano, assembled a massive treasury of $89,000, and spent $53,900.
His single largest financial supporter was the Swinomish Tribal Community with three payments that totaled $2,750, followed by one or multiple contributions that each equaled $1,900 by the following organizations: the Island County Republican Party, the Council of Metropolitan Police and Sheriffs, the Washington Affordable Housing Council, the Washington Hospital Political Action Committee (PAC), the state Dental PAC, Washington State Troopers PAC and the state Cops PAC. The state Restaurant Association PAC gave $1,850.
As for private contributors, Windermere Real Estate brokers Randy and Marla Heagle on Camano Island gave $1,100, Kim and Larry Harris of Stanwood $1,000 and Bradley and Debra Lang of Oak Harbor $1,000.
In expenditures, Hayes spent most of his cash with the Carter Agency in Lynnwood, $22,800, on mailers, Comcast commercials, photos and videos, website design, video production and postcard and door-to-door printing.
His challenger, Democrat Nick Petrish, only raised $3,700 by comparison and spent only $2,400. He is using the mini reporting option.
Last but not least, Position 1 incumbent Norma Smith, R-Clinton, followed Hayes’ fundraising effort by bringing in $75,600 and spending $52,971. Her largest supporters, each totaling $1,900, were Broadband Communications Association of Washington PAC and the Washington Affordable Housing Council. They were followed with $1,850 by Puget Sound Energy and Biopac — the PAC for the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association — and $1,800 from Spokane-based Avista Corporation.
Finally, her largest individual contributions were $950 from restaurant owner Chris Canlis of Seattle and $500 from Langley’s William Gardner.
Her biggest expenditure was a $20,000 payment to the House Republican Organizational Committee, $8,200 to the Carter Agency, and at least $5,200 to campaign manager Claudia Cox.
Smith’s challenger, Libertarian Michael Scott, is using the mini reporting option and his contributions and expenditures are unknown.
