Wallets open on final campaign push

By LPR Staff

Editor/POST-REGISTER

As required by election law, the candidates on the ballot for local races recently filed reports outlining their campaign expenses and contributions over the month of October. The reports are required to be filed the seventh day prior to the election, and most reflect a flurry of promotional activity

as the clock ticks down toward the election.

In what is arguably the most expensive and sweeping down-ballot race, incumbent Sheriff Daniel Law (D) is facing a challenge from Republican Ray Chandler. Both Law and Chandler have been working the campaign circuit over the last month, spending and collecting as they bid for the job as Caldwell County’s top cop.

Law reported collecting $1,050 in campaign contributions over the last month, principally spurred by a $500 donation from McMahan business owner Tom Douple. He also reported spending $2,208, largely for campaign promotion.

Law reported a $1,082.61 payment to Lockhart-based Printing Solutions for campaign signs He also made $450 in contributions to various non-profit fundraisers, and reported $626 in expenses for local media advertising.

Chandler collected $2,000 and spent $1,335 during the reporting period.

The contribution came from Caldwell County resident Robert Duda, who donated $2,000 toward Chandler’s campaign.

While some of his advertising expense is offset through contributions from the Caldwell County Republican Party, Chandler also reported spending $720 on t-shirts and $430 on local advertising. He spent $55 in contributions to local non-profits.

The race for Caldwell County Commissioner, Precinct One rivals the Sheriff’s race in the scope of spending.

While incumbent Democrat Afredo Munoz did not reflect any campaign contributions during the reporting period, he did note $4,050 in spending.

The bulk of Munoz’s expenses were in the form of advertising, with a $1,500 payment to Capital One to offset credit card advertising purchases, and $1,175 directed to local media. He spent $650 with the United States Postal Service for mailers, and donated $130 to the Caldwell County Democratic Party. He also reported $560 in donations to non-profit organizations.

His Republican challenger, Hoppy Haden, reported collecting $1,501.94 in personal and in-kind contributions, and spent $1,475.85.

Haden directed $568.10 to Printing Solutions for signs, and spent $897.75 for local advertising. He received a contribution of $750 from the Caldwell County Republican Women.

Across the County, Democratic incumbent Neto Madrigal is defending his office against Republican Ed Theriot for the Precinct Three Commissioner’s seat.

Madrigal spent $1,555.70 during the reporting period to ensure his re-election. The United States Postal Service charged him $217 for campaign mailers, and he spent $483.75 for local media advertising. He also purchased campaign materials from Minuteman Press for $297.68, and spent $179.70 at Logo’s for additional materials.

Madrigal also reflected a donation of $30 to the campaign of John Castillo for Lockhart City Council.

Tax Assessor-Collector Darla Law, running as a Democrat, reflected a zero net-sum for her spending and collections during the reporting period. She spent a total of $493.75 between postal mailers and local media advertising, and collected $493.75 to offset those expenses.

Her Republican challenger, Debbie Cortez Sanders did not report any contribution collections during the reporting period, but noted spending $410.47.

She made two payments totaling $68.68 to the United States Postal Service, and spent $28.99 at Lockhart’s LASR Signs. She also reported spending $262.80 in local media advertising.

Spending reports Republican Chris Schneider and Democrat Andi St. Leger were not immediately available from the Texas Ethics Commission, and could not be obtained before press time.

Lower down the ballot, the eight candidates vying for spots on the Lockhart ISD Board of Trustees filed their campaign expense reports reflecting spending until Oct. 31.

In District One, incumbent Carl Cisneros put a report on file, but reflected that he had neither collected any contributions, nor made any purchases. His challenger, Beverly S. Anderson, said she had collected $198, and reported $300 of unitemized expenses.

District Two incumbent, Board President Brenda Spillmann, said she had not collected any donations, and reflected $98 in expenses she chose not to itemize. Her opponent, Miguel Islas, reported $897.75 in local media advertising expenses.

In the race for the District Three seat, former Trustee Becky Lockhart is squaring off with political newcomer Bobby Herzog to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Jessica Neyman this summer.

Lockhart said she spent $1,099.48 during the reporting period, including $300.98 with Vista Print, and $798.50 in local media advertising. She did not report any campaign contributions.

Herzog said he had collected $40 from an anonymous donor, and spent $531.92 between Printing Solutions, and other sources he chose not to itemize.

Incumbent Jon Reyes said he collected no contributions, and spent $127.13 in expenses. His challenger, Warren Burnett also collected no contributions, and spent $398.72 in political purchases from personal funds.

Early voting continues throughout this week, and is shattering previous records for voter turnout. As of the close of polling on Tuesday, 5,774 voters had cast ballots in person during Early Voting. Polls remain open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. this week, and will be open next Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. for Election Day.

Follow the Post-Register on social media on Election Night for returns as they become available, and pick up next week’s Post-Register for a full breakdown of election results.