Commissioner candidates spend $40,000

Republican candidates for Flathead County commissioner spent a combined $40,000 for their primary election contest.

According to campaign reports filed May 22 and June 23, Republican primary winner and former Sheriff Jim Dupont raised about $24,000 for his against Republican incumbent Gary Hall.

Dupont spent all but $372 of his war chest to defeat Hall by more than a 2-to-1 margin in the June 3 primary.

Hall raised $12,710 by the May 22 report and spent half of it. Hall has not yet filed his June 23 report, but he said he raised and spent a total of about $16,500, including $3,000 of his own money.

Because Hall lost the primary, he didn't have to meet the June 23 deadline.

Democratic commissioner candidate Steven Qunell, who also has not yet filed his required June 23 report, raised $2,410.

He spent $1,186 but was running unopposed in the primary election. Qunell said he has raised about $8,000 so far and has spent close to $5,000.

Dupont's reports show 147 donors gave him money for his campaign. Nearly 55 percent of those donors gave between $130 and $160.

The law allows a maximum donation of $160 by an individual to a campaign for county commissioner.

Dupont also put in $1,900 of his own money for the campaign.

Hall had 19 fewer donors on the May 22 report, but lagged well behind Dupont in the number of large donations.

Most of the candidates' election money went to bulk mailings, print advertising and signs.

Campaign reports show a list of everyone who donated to the candidate as well as a detailed list of expenditures.

To view the documents, visit http://fnweb.isd.doa.state.mt.us/idmws/custom/cpp/candidate.asp

Reporter Michael Richeson may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at mricheson@dailyinterlake.com