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Hotter tops in campaign dollar chase
Incumbent commissioner raises far more than challenger Tregillus
Herald Staff Writer
Hotter
Tregillus
Top donors
These are the top financial donors and how much they donated to each candidate, including in-kind contributions. The totals are total amounts raised from all donors since the beginning of their campaigns: Kellie Hotter ($41,689 total): Bob Lieb ($5,250), Douglas Simonson ($2,500), Karen Langhart ($2,054), Richard Langhart ($1,650), Frank Sinton ($1,500), Richard Freeman ($1,500), Mary Carroll ($1,500), Sharon Abshagen ($1,500), Don Gosney ($1,444), Laurie Gosney ($1,000), Laura Pargin ($1,000), Phil Bryson ($1,000) and Tony Whittle ($1,000). Peter Tregillus ($18,725 total): La Plata County Democratic Central Committee ($8,000), John Schwob ($500), Ken Carpenter ($500), Ken and Lois Carpenter ($500), Peter Tregillus ($500), Christopher Isensee ($400), Leslie Tregillus ($300), Barry Chaloner ($250), Michael McLachlan ($250), Patrick Gerstenberger ($250), Thomas Shipps ($200) and Michel Roy Saunders ($200). Harry Baxstrom ($28,625 total): Roy Hocker ($2,000), Jerry McCaw ($1,500), Ruth McCaw ($1,500), Laura Pargin ($1,000), Don Gosney ($1,000), Bob Dulin ($1,000), Stanley Wadsworth ($700), Theresa Baird ($650), P. L. Cungnini ($550), Barbara Muller ($500), B. K. Muller ($500), Steve Pargin ($500), Cindi Brevik ($500), Steve Pargin ($500), Justin McCarty ($500) and Robert Williams ($500). Wally White ($23,116 total): La Plata County Democratic Central Committee ($6,000), Gregory Cavanaugh ($1,000), George Richardson ($850), Don Novak ($500), John Cole ($500), Juris Berzins ($500) and Jessie Morgan ($500). Todd Risberg ($13,017 total): La Plata County Democratic Central Committee ($5,000), Todd Risberg ($556), Doug Risberg ($400), Alex Tejada ($400), Beth Crane ($400) and Ann Tony ($400). Russell Wasley ($8,111 total): Russell Wasley ($6,326), Archuleta County Republican Central Committee ($325), Jim Stewart ($200) and Robin Schiro ($200). Source: Colorado Secretary of State
In the District 2 race, Tregillus has raised a total of $18,725 compared with Hotter's $41,689, according to the Colorado Secretary of State. The dollar amounts are from the beginning of their campaigns through Oct. 26 - the end of the most recent filing period - and include in-kind contributions.
About 32 percent of Hotter's 187 contributors gave $200 or more to her campaign, according to the filings. Three individuals gave more than $2,000 to Hotter: Former County Commissioner Bob Lieb, $5,250; Douglas Simonson $2,500; and Karen Langhart, $2,054.
By comparison, only about 9 percent of Tregillus' 130 donors gave $200 or more to his campaign. More than a third of his campaign chest came from the La Plata County Democratic Central Committee.
Hotter had spent about $23,712 as of Oct. 26, largely on radio, newspaper and printing costs.
"I plan on spending every dime; there won't be any leftovers, hopefully," she said.
Tregillus had spent about $13,479 on newspapers, mailings and volunteer events.
"We're pretty much dry," he said Thursday. "This is not a big-money campaign."
Tregillus said Hotter's largest financial supporters are developers, real-estate agents and finance workers. He estimates that more than $24,000 of her contributions came from individuals associated with those trades.
"It's highly important that people understand the connection between one candidate and one industry," he said. "I am not tied that way."
Hotter said it is telling that she has raised twice as much money from almost twice as many contributors. Her contributions come from a broad range of residents, including small-business owners, their employees, students, veterans, environmental consultants, firefighters, councilors, builders, architects and bankers.
"It runs the gamut," she said. "My contributors exemplify the working class of La Plata County."
Hotter said she is proud to have support from the homebuilders and related industries. The housing industry as a whole represents 17 percent of the county's private income, she said, and just because Hotter has homebuilders' support doesn't mean La Plata County won't grow responsibly.
She has not taken money from the gas industry; the only money she has received from anyone with ties to gas is from the Brennan family, which donated $150, she said.
Hotter accused her opponent of making personal attacks late in the campaign.
"I am proud of the fact that I have kept my campaign clean," Hotter said. "I have done no negative advertising and would not. I think the attacks are a sign of desperation."
Tregillus said he is disappointed that Hotter did not denounce the personal attacks the La Plata County Republicans made against fellow County Commissioner Wally White, who is running for re-election.
Hotter said she was not consulted by the GOP to sponsor the attack ads.
"I expressed my distaste and stated that if a campaign were to make a decision to operate in this fashion, it should have the name of that campaign, and that campaign alone, for personal accountability," she wrote in an e-mail.
"I truly detest all of the negativity that rears its ugly head at these times and know that I will not be looking for a career in politics," Hotter added.
"While I love serving as commissioner, I find the political games to be nauseating, to say the least."
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