Local News
Campaign finance reports released
Gary Pinnell | Highlands Today
Published: November 23, 2012
SEBRING - Two of the candidates that spent the least had the most success in the Nov. 6 election, their campaign treasurer's report summaries showed.Published: November 23, 2012
Two-term incumbent Susan Benton, who spent only $1,229 to buy radio spots and newspaper ads two weeks before the sheriff's election, won with 83.5 percent of the 40,269 votes.
Her opponent, former deputy Candido Garcia, spent $7,923.
On a cost-per-vote basis, Benton spent 3.6 cents per vote; Garcia, $1.19.
County Commission District 5 showed modest expenditures by both candidates.
Incumbent Greg Harris collected $2,550 and spent just $2,001; Greg Smith reported $2,335 in contributions and spent $2,334.
The worst bargain, though, was Pep Hutchinson's expenditure of $46,475 to earn just 1,563 votes in the Aug. 14 superintendent of schools primary, or $27.73 per vote. His reports show Hutchinson loaned himself $45,000 of those contributions.
Wally Cox won the Nov. 6 superintendent's race with $29,200 in contributions and spending $27,330. His general election opponent, Roberta Fleck, showed $6,850 in expenses and $6,931 in contributions.
In the supervisor of elections race, Penny Ogg was successful by spending $8,947 of the $10,645 in contributions; Gerald Secory took in and spent just $2,799.
In the other two county commission races, James L. Brooks ran the most expensive campaign, taking in $29,195 and spending $27,966 to win the Republican primary, then beat Sal Mowery in the District 1 general election.
Mowery received $7,019 in contributions and spent $4,719.
Ron Handley was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott last year to fill District 3; Handley collected $21,075 to run for election and spent $17,777.77.
Michael Stone collected $4,192 and spent $4,173.
gpinnell@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5828