Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Local 2019 annual campaign finance reports

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By LILY REX

2019 annual campaign finance reports were due earlier this month. The Chesterton Tribune reviewed the reports that have been filed and posted online as of deadline today. Some candidates have not yet reported, according to the Office of Elections & Registration.

Chesterton

In Chesterton, the case remains that the Chesterton Firefighters Local 4600 political action committee (4600 PAC) was the largest contributor. It was the sole organization that funded the ouster of three incumbents in 2019--Dane Lafata, Stephanie Kuziela, and Emerson Delaney.

In her 2019 annual, Kuziela reported $1,117.95 cash-on hand with a $464.65 debt to herself. She loaned $60.32 to herself in the final reporting period, bringing her contributions to her own campaign to a year-to-date total of $626.88. She also received $1,000 from The Coil Curtain Company LLC, in Chesterton.

Courtney Udvare, who unseated Kuziela to be Chesterton’s new clerk-treasurer, reported $315.23 cash on-hand with a $60 debt to herself. Udvare reported only two donations in the final reporting period, which included in-kind donations for newspaper ads ($115.50 and $251.80) from the 4600 PAC. The PAC was Udvare’s sole donor throughout her campaign and after her election, having donated a year-to-date total of $2,827.30, which included $1,700 direct and $1,127.30 in-kind.

Chesterton Town Council member Bob Allison (D-3rd), who unseated Dane Lafata for 3rd ward Chesterton Town Council in the 2019 primary, reported he received a year-to-date total of $1,000 from the 4600 PAC and contributed a year-to-date total of $600 to his campaign. Pre-primary and pre-election period reports with more detail were not available for Allison. He reported $281.45 cash on-hand.

The 4600 PAC also contributed to Chesterton Town Council member Jennifer L. Fisher (I-5th), who unseated Republican Emerson Delaney in November. Fisher reported $291.75 cash on-hand and had four donations in the final reporting period, all in-kind for postcards or newspaper ads. The PAC contributed $480.30 in three donations and Tracey Morris, of Hobart, contributed $59.91.

Fisher’s 2019 campaign was otherwise self-funded and bolstered by the 4600 PAC, which contributed a year-to-date total of $2,670.30, including $1,250 direct and $1,420.30 in-kind.

Delaney reported no donations and no expenses for the final reporting period. He reported no cash on-hand and disbanded his committee.

Chesterton Town council member Jim Ton (R-1st), who ran unopposed in 2019, reported one donation in the final reporting period: $94.05 in-kind for newspaper ads from the 4600 PAC. Ton ended the reporting period with no cash on-hand.

Porter and Burns Harbor

In Porter, Republican Jim Burge self-funded his campaign, with a year-to-date total of $3,169.77. He donated $1,758.77 to himself in the final reporting period, which he spent mostly on advertising and campaign events. He ended the reporting period with no cash-on hand and disbanded his committee after David Phillips won the seat.

Phillips received no contributions in the final reporting period and $150 from the Porter Parks Department for a return of security deposit for hall rental. He spent $414.30 on groceries, postage, and printing, and paid a $420.95 debt to himself to end the year with no cash-on hand.

Porter Town Council Vice-president Bill Lopez reported no activity in the final reporting period. Council President Greg Stinson’s only activity was repaying a $500 loan he made to himself during the 2019 pre-primary period. Both ended 2019 with no cash on-hand.

Burns Harbor Town Council member Toni Biancardi contributed $385.12 to her own campaign, which she spent on printing and postage to end the reporting period with no cash on-hand.

Burns Harbor Clerk-treasurer Jane Jordan reported $898.05 cash-on hand. Jordan, who ran unopposed in 2019, self-funded, contributing a year-to-date total of $675.

Local 4600 PAC

The 4600 PAC’s activity wound down post-election. The PAC reported $405 in non-itemized contributions and spent $1,935.06, which included two charges ($132 and $528.06) from the Chesterton Tribune for advertising. The PAC also spent $900 at Craft House and paid Michigan City resident Joseph Durk $375 for advertising.

Porter County

Former county council member Andy Bozak reported $14.52 in non-itemized contributions and ended the year with $22.12 cash on-hand and $462.39 in unspecified debts. Bozak is currently a candidate for an at-large seat on the Council.

County Council member Dan Whitten (D-At-large) reported no contributions and $84 in non-itemized expenses for the final reporting period. Whitten reported $12,246 cash on-hand with a $4,453 debt to himself. He is seeking reelection this year.

County Council member Jeff Larson (R-At-large) ended 2019 with no cash on-hand and $2,163 in unspecified debts. Larosn is running for North District County Commissioner, challenging incumbent Republican Jim Biggs in the primary.

Biggs reported one contribution of $50 in the final reporting period. He ended 2019 with $225.11 cash on-hand and $4,705.94 in debts, which includes a $2,505.94 loan to himself and $2,200 to Jacksonville, Fla.-based Majority Strategies LLC for consulting.

Commissioner Laura Blaney (D-South) told the Chesterton Tribune via phone this morning that she had no contributions and no expenses in 2019. Blaney is running for reelection this year. She has one outstanding debt of $13,000 from loaning to her own campaign in the past.

Blaney’s 2019 annual report shows she had contributions and expense this year; however, Blaney said the report she filed features old numbers, and she’s in the process of amending it.

Who Files

Not all elected officials are required to file campaign finance reports. Those running for elected offices that pay $5,000 per year or greater are required to file. Candidates seeking less lucrative offices are expected to file continuously if they choose to open a committee but are not required to file.

Since the Town of Burns Harbor approved raises for Town Council members, both candidates for Burns Harbor Town Council and Porter Town Council will be required to file starting in the next local election cycle. Chesterton Town Council members are paid less than $5,000 per year, according to the Indiana Gateway.

PACS file campaign finance activity with the local county election board 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 2020 Indiana Campaign Finance Manual.

 
 
 
 

 

 

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