The Chesterton
Firefighters Local 4600 political action committee (PAC) has pumped $4,650
in campaign donations into the two contested races in Chesterton.
The 4600 PAC
reported it had $10,231.63 cash on-hand at the end of the pre-election
reporting period and spent $6,366.68 pre-election.
Back in June, the
PAC contributed $1,000 to the Committee to Elect Robert Allison and spent
$666.68 on unspecified campaign signs. It also contributed $400 to the
Indiana Firefighters Political Action Committee earlier this year and more
recently paid the Duneland Chamber of Commerce $100 for advertising space.
According to the
PAC’s own report and individual campaign finance reports, the 4600 PAC has
invested a lot in the general election coming up Nov. 5 by contributing to
Jennifer L. Fisher and Courtney Udvare in the form of both signage and
direct donations.
Fisher, an
Independent challenging incumbent Republican Emerson Delaney for the fifth
ward Chesterton Town Council seat, reported a direct donation of $1,250 from
the Local 4600 PAC and $940 in in-kind donations of signage.
Fisher’s campaign
is otherwise self-funded, with three direct contributions totaling $2,550.
She reported $2,087 cash-on hand at the close of the pre-election reporting
period. Delaney reported no donations and no cash on-hand for the reporting
period.
The Local 4600 PAC
is also supporting Udvare, a Democrat looking to unseat incumbent Republican
Stephanie Kuziela in the race for Chesterton Clerk-treasurer. Udvare
reported a $1,700 direct contribution and $760 in in-kind donations for
signage from the PAC.
Udvare’s only
contributions were those from the PAC. She reported a cash on-hand balance
of $1,931.44 with a $60 debt to herself.
Kuziela has
self-funded her campaign this go around, with a loan of $566.56 of which she
had paid back $139.09 at the time of reporting. She reported $65.91 on-hand
with a $427.46 debt to herself.
Porter Races
Democrat David
Phillips leads the pack across Duneland in number of donations. He reported
20 donations from 18 people and two organizations ranging from $25 to $500.
Phillips’ largest
contributions are $500 from Ironworkers Local 395; $200 each from ward three
Porter Town Council member Bill Lopez, Elka Nelson, and Dan Omeana; and $100
each from IBEW Local 697, Kevin McDermott, Karen Storm, and Albert Jackson.
Phillips also
donated $127 and loaned $450 to his own campaign. He reported $685.25 cash
on-hand with a $450 debt to himself.
Phillips’ opponent,
Republican Jim Burge, has self-funded his campaign with four donations
totaling $1,510. He reported $63.02 cash on-hand.
Unopposed incumbent
Clerk-treasurer Carol Pomeroy reported no cash on-hand. Second ward Council
member Greg Stinson reported $500 cash on-hand with a $500 debt to himself,
as he loaned $500 to his campaign in the pre-primary reporting period.
Stinson had no activity this reporting period.
Third ward Council
member Bill Lopez reported no cash on-hand. Ward five Council member Brian
Finley reported $50 on-hand. Ward one Council member Erik Wagner’s report
was not available as of deadline today.
Burns Harbor Race
Though she’s
unopposed, Burns Harbor Clerk-treasurer Jane Jordan donated $325 to her own
campaign and reported $1,002.14 cash on-hand. Incumbent Democrat Town
Council member Nicholas Loving reported no cash on-hand.
Reports were not
available for the remaining Burns Harbor candidates at deadline today.
Taxpayers for
Duneland Schools PAC
The Taxpayers for
Duneland Schools PAC was disbanded Oct. 10. The PAC brought in $10,630 in
donations for the year, most of them between Feb. 25 and late April leading
up the primary election that featured the supplemental property tax
referendum public question.
The PAC’s
final/disband report shows it received an influx of contributions staring
April 22 after it took in only 23 donations from individuals Feb. 25 to
April 21. 26 donations from individuals were received in just the week
between April 22 and April 29, then there were three more on primary
election day, May 7.
Businesses and
labor organizations including Gaston’s Towing & Auto Repair LLC, VP & G
Inc., and International Union of Painters and Allied Trades also
contributed.
As it was last
reporting period, the Indiana Political Action Committee for Education (IPACE)
was the largest contributor with two donations totaling $3,000.
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades and Crown Point resident
Rachel Jordan each contributed $1,000. Duneland School district residents
Christine Kallay, Dale Banghart, and Laura Elliot each donated $500. VP & G
Inc. contributed $350.
The PAC reported 20
itemized expenses for supporting the referendum totaling $11,011.63. Of
those expenses, the largest were for signs, printing, bulk mail, and
newspaper ads. Approximately $3,100 went to Sign Depot of NWI LLC (Lake
Station), approximately $3,000 went to Data Graphic for printing/signs,
approximately $2,300 went to Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service (Valparaiso), and
approximately $600 to the Chesterton Tribune for newspaper
advertising.
When it disbanded
Oct. 10, the PAC paid a $137.42 debt to Nation Builder for web support, and
donated its remaining balance of $8,578.37 to the Duneland Education
Foundation for grants, programs, and scholarships within the Duneland School
system.
Who Reports?
Not every candidate
for local office is required to file a campaign finance report. Candidates
holding or seeking a local political position that pays $5,000 or more
annually are required to file campaign finance reports with the Porter
County Clerk’s office and abide by State reporting deadlines, according to
Porter County Assistant Director of Elections Becky Rauch.
If candidates don’t
stand to benefit that much from the offices sought, they can still choose to
file, but are not required to by law. Candidates who have formed committees
and reported with the County in the past should continue to report as long
as their respective committees exist, Rauch said.
According to the
Indiana Gateway transparency portal, Burns Harbor Town Council members were
paid between $4,000 and $4,500 annually for 2018. Chesterton Town Council
members were paid $4,834.96 in 2018. Porter Town Council members were paid
$6,599.88 in 2018.
Clerk-treasurer is
a full-time position in the three largest Duneland communities.
Clerk-treasurers in Chesterton, Porter, and Burns Harbor were each paid
between $50,000 and $58,000 in 2018, according to the Indiana Gateway.
PACS are required
to file campaign finance activity with the local county election board
only if all of their contributions are related to local
candidates/public questions in municipal elections. They file with the
Indiana Election Division if they are supporting or opposing state
candidates or statewide public questions, according to the 2019 Indiana
Campaign Finance Manual.
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