Candidates spend thousands as Election Day approaches

By LPR Staff

Editor/POST-REGSISTER

In the final days before the Nov. 2, 2014, General Election, candidates seem to be pulling out the stops – and pulling out their wallets in their final push toward election.

According to the reports filed at the Caldwell County Clerk’s Office this week, the race for Caldwell County Judge continu

es to be the big-money local race, with candidates spending thousands of dollars over a period of months to fill the seat that will be vacated by County Judge Tom Bonn in January.

Republican party candidate Kenneth Schawe reported having collected $1,292 in contributions, including $450 from George Hazelett and $382.11 from the Caldwell County Republican Party during the reporting period. He spent nearly $7,500, with the bulk going for local advertising ($4,028). He also spent $2,551 locally with LasR Signs, and spent $918 in postage.

The Democratic Party nominee, Fermin Islas, reported taking in $1,200 in donations, and spending $4,616. Islas received a $500 donation from the law firm, Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Sampson, and like the other Democratic Party candidates on the ballot, received $300 from the Caldwell County Tejano Democrats.

Islas spent $1,994 in local advertising and $1,176 on postage. He also purchased materials from Printing Solutions, at a cost of $1,423.

Longtime Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Roland reported collecting $350 in donations, including $300 from the Caldwell County Tejano Democrats. He said he spent $301 in unitemized expenses.

His Republican opponent Darrell Scott said he collected $147.35, and spent the exact same amount.

In the race for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, incumbent Republican Matt Keily reported $500 in contributions, but no spending during the reporting period, which spans the from the 29th day to the seventh day before an election.

His opponent, Democratic Party nominee Rhoda Chavira reported $565 in donations, and $1,038.35 in spending. She purchased materials at JRs printing at the cost of $600, and spent $391.05 at Printing Solutions.

In his bid for another term as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4, Raymond DeLeon collected $325 in contributions and spent $1,588.06 in local advertising. His opponent, Republican David LaPointe collected $1,420 in donations, including $750 from the Caldwell County Republican Party. LaPointe spent $206 with the Postal Service and $490 in local advertising, among his $1,157 in campaign spending.

Largely, the other candidates on the ballot, including Precinct 2 candidates Fred Buchholtz and Edward “Eddie” Moses, reported limited collections of campaign funds, and most of their expenses were related to charitable donations to rural volunteer fire departments and to the Night in Old Luling event held recently.

Candidates are required to file spending reports periodically through election season, as well as keep reports on file during their candidacy and service, if they hold or spend campaign funds.