The cost of running

By CAITLIN SULLIVAN/Staff

Politics can be expensive. Especially if you’re a newbie.

Some candidates in Tuesday’s election borrowed hundreds of dollars - in some cases thousands - to get their names and faces in front of voters.

“People don’t realize when you run for office you have to have money,” said candidate Vernon Smith. “I don’t have the money. I have limited resources. I don’t have the backing like my opponent does.”

According to contribution and expenditure reports, as of Oct. 26 Smith had received $4,574 in contributions and spent $3,871.56. His opponent, incumbent Dulcie Mumpower, received $6,651.62 in contributions and spent $3,037.89.

In District E, which includes Damascus, candidate Joe Straten received $2,747.31 and spent $2,339.44. His opponent, incumbent Jack McCrady, received $1,551.91 and spent $1,314.38. 

In District B, which includes Greendale, candidate Nicole Price received $1,133 and spent $943.91. Her opponent, write-in candidate Glen Peters, received $1,100 and spent $575.38.

County resident Joan Boone said the money isn’t necessarily as important as how it is reported.

“I’m most concerned about the transparency of support of the Board of Supervisors; who’s supporting their campaign,” she said.

According to election documents, donors contributing $250 or more to individual campaigns included Mark W. Simcox, who gave $250 to Price.

Peters contributed $1,000 toward his own campaign.

Straten also contributed $1,000 toward his own campaign. The county’s Republican Party gave him $250.

McCrady received $400 from Commonwealth’s Attorney Dennis Godfrey, $500 from Committee for SWVA – Political Action Committee and $250 from John Bower Bank.

Smith contributed $1,035 to his own campaign and received $250 from the Washington County Republican Party.

Mumpower received $250 donations from Bruce E. Bentley, the Republican Party, Ann Crawford, Kenneth W. Hobbs, K-VA-T Food Stores Inc., Rebecca Mumpower and Virginia Highlands Anesthesia. She also received $330 from Larry McCrosky and $500 each from CC&T Properties and Horizon Family Dentistry.

“I’m going to have a debt,” Smith said. “Nobody’s ever gave me $500 at one whack ... It’s hard for a person to compete with someone like that.”

Smith borrowed $2,910 to buy a billboard along U.S. 11, according to an Oct. 26 State Board of Elections. Straten also owes money, $1,235, for billboards along U.S. highways 58 and 11. Peters, though he has a billboard along U.S. 19, did not report a debt on his Oct. 26 report.

At a League of Women Voters forum at Greendale Elementary, held last week, Price and Peters were asked if they had an unpaid debt. Price said no. Peters said he does owe $625 to Hey Outdoor Billboards. He said he had not received a bill until Oct. 27, thus the debt wasn’t reported on his Oct. 26 report.

Owner of Hey Outdoor Billboards Inc. Bill Roop said it’s common for candidates to incur debts during a campaign and that clients don’t always pay right away.

“I own billboards; it’s not a political issue,” he said.

To contact Caitlin Sullivan e-mail or call (276) 628-7101.