The race for the General Election is on with remaining candidates geared up to take the job of commissioner and the raises that go into effect in this term. As they collect and spend money on their campaigns, the law requires that candidates report financial transactions and benefits to the government and the public to promote awareness of who supports which candidates and how the candidates are spending contributed funds. The most recent reports cover the period of August 4 - September 6, 2008, and were due on September 11, 2008.

Websites, once a rare sight for Park County Elections, now pop up for every candidate in our local politics. Some candidates report the cost or in-kind value of the website design, hosting, domain name and other costs, and some have overlooked reporting such contributed (cash or otherwise) value to their campaigns.

District 1 Commissioner

New Republican write-in candidate for District 1, Christopher Hopkins, reports that bills paid out of pocket include website and domain expenses and postage for a total of $178.87. This is Hopkins' first financial report for the campaign and was filed early by agent Arthur Hall on September 9th.

Independent candidate Lora Abcarian is also running for commissioner in District 1. Her committee's current report was filed early on September 7th. Abcarian's campaign received non-itemized contributions of $59.97 and itemized contributions from locals Jean Wagner ($35.00) and Kathleen Thomas ($50.00), and $30 from Robin Kepple of Casper, WY. Expenditures of $275.46 include reimbursements to the candidate for personal funds paid for advertising with the Park County Bulletin and for signs. Funds on hand as of the report date total $153.86.

Incumbent District 1 commissioner John Tighe received $100 from Nelson and Pat Gabel of Bailey and an additional $30 in non-itemized, non-monetary contributions. The campaign spent $93.50 during the period for newspaper advertising. The report was filed early on September 9th and showed a balance of funds on hand of $43.78. Tighe has not reported any cost or in-kind contribution for the campaign's website and hosting which launched in July of 2008.

District 2 Commissioner

American Constitution Party candidate for District 2 is Zdenko Novkovic. Novkovic files as his own agent and the report was filed early. The candidate reports out-of-pocket payments to the Flume for advertising in the amount of $170.25 with no contributions or other expenses reported.

Lynda James, Democratic candidate for District 2, reports funds on hand of $742.47 at the end of the current reporting period. The committee filed the report on time. The campaign received non-itemized contributions totaling $63.00 and reports non-monetary contributions totaling $253.99. Residents of the county who contributed to the campaign's sign construction and materials were Nancy Stimson, Connie Gray, Sophie and Glenn Dunham, Soren Frederiksen and Tammee Butler. Expenditures of $272.61 went for signs, advertising, and website hosting.

Republican candidate Dick Hodges is reporting that his campaign is over-extended by <$1,232.79> at the end of the reporting period. His committee filed early on September 10th. Contributions of $250 came from Douglas Windemuller ($150) and Joyce Lang ($100), both of Pine, CO. The committee spent $773.95 this period on signs, sign materials and graphics. Hodges has not reported any cost or in-kind contribution for the campaign's website and hosting which launched in the spring of 2008.

District 3 Replacement Election

District 3 candidate Mark Dowaliby is in an uncontested race to fill the term of the late Doc McKay. Dowaliby filed his report early on September 8th. Out of state contributors include Mrs. Cregar of Big Springs, TX for $100, and a second contribution from Nancy McRee of Santa Fe, NM. McRee donated $200 in this reporting period for a total of $400 in this election cycle. Both contributors are listed as retired individuals. McRee was listed on a former report as a relative. Dowaliby reports expenditures to the paper for advertising in the amount of $194.36, leaving his campaign an ending balance of $208.61.

These are the first reports for the November General Election. The next campaign finance reports are due on October 14, 2008.

Primary Campaign Finance Reports:
Campaign Finance Reports Filed by Candidates (Jul 26 08)
Second Campaign Finance Reports Filed by Candidates (Aug 9 08)