Challenger outspending incumbent so far in judge executive race

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Wednesday, May 13, 2010, 11 p.m. — As the candidates who filed for office have learned this primary election season, running for office in a hotly contested election can be an expensive proposition. In the May primary, the incumbent, Judge Executive Dean Watts, faces challenger Rob Hamilton. While the winner of the primary faces a three-way race in the November general election, there’s a primary that must first be won.

DEAN WATTS. The latest 15-day pre-election financial report shows Watts has spent a modest sum so far in the race.

CAMPAIGN DONORS. Watts reported cash donations totally $2,750, which included donations from family and friends and two anonymous $50 donations. Donors to his campaign include Mark and Deborah Mathis ($500 each); James and Carolyn Thompson ($100); Watts’ in-laws, Rapier and Violet Smith ($500 each); and Newcomb Oil Co. owner J.L. Newcomb ($250). Watts contributed $300 to his own campaign.

As an incumbent, Watts was able to re-use past campaign signs, which he valued as in-kind contribution totaling $3,123.25.

CAMPAIGN EXPENSES. Watts’ campaign expenditures included the purchase of additional yard signs ($1,258.67), door hangers ($417.28), advertising in print media ($325), and fuel to put up signs ($124.03).

Watts confirmed last week that the totals reflected on his latest campaign finance report would grow during the final two weeks of the primary election.

ROB HAMILTON. (UPDATED 5/13/10 2 P.M.) Hamilton's latest election report filed May 7th, indicates a substantial number of small donors are contributing to his campaign, with $5,420 in total donations. Hamilton also loaned his campaign $465 to cover expenses early in his campaign late last year. Hamilton also reported in-kind donations of $1,000 for t-shirts from Desired Designs of Chaplin and $364.81 from the Shirt Shop in Bardstown for hats.

ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION? Hamilton's 15-day pre-election report also shows a possible illegal campaign donation of $500 from Waddell's Auto & Scrap Recycling, 159 Parrish Blvd in Bardstown. KRS 121.035 prohibits corporations from making campaign contributions to candidates for public office. Waddell's Auto & Scrap Recycling Inc, according to the Kentucky Secretary of State's records, is a Kentucky corporation that was incorporated June 3, 2009, with principal offices at 1755 Valley Creek Rd in Elizabethtown. State law prohibits corporate donations, to wit:

KRS 121.035 (1) No corporation organized or authorized to do business in this state or in another state shall, by itself or by or through an officer, agent, attorney, or employee, subscribe, give, procure or furnish, or afterwards reimburse or compensate in any way any person who has subscribed, given, procured, or furnished, any money, privilege, favor, or other thing of value to any political or quasi-political organization, or any officer or member thereof, to be used by such organization for the purpose of aiding, assisting, or advancing any candidate for public office in this state in any way whatever.

OTHER DONORS. Donors to Hamilton’s campaign include the candidate’s father, Joseph R. (Bobby) Hamilton, Bardstown ($600); Mildred Cambron, New Haven ($500);  Jana White, Bardstown ($300 in-kind contribution); Ann M. Shouse, Bardstown ($250); Eric Clements, Bardstown; Kenny Fogle, Bardstown; Marshall Tingle, Cox’s Creek;  Dennis Carey, Bardstown; James Kirk, Bardstown ($200 each); and Louis A. Hamilton ($150).

$100 donors included: Kevin Brumley, Ethel P. Hamilton, Charles Moore, Frank Stackhouse, John West and Jillian West, all of Bardstown; Marilyn Hamilton and Hamilton Simms, both of Springfield; Joseph M. Hamilton, Kingston Springs, Tenn.; Greg Martin, Bloomfield; John A. Mayer, Cox’s Creek; and Pamela Payne, Glendale.

Donations less than $100: Marcia Cammack, Bardstown, $65; $50 each from Mike Cambron, Mary Ann Downs, Lynn Farnsworth, Richard Owens, Kevin Simpson, Dana Whitis and Vivian Foster, all of Bardstown; Bill Parrott, Springfield; and Edith Bare, Cox’s Creek; Blaine Hamilton, Bardstown, $40; $25 donors include: Leo Greenwell, Joyce Mattingly, Carol Morris, Benny O’Daniel, Jackie Crume and Eddie Nichols, all of Bardstown; Joe Ballard, Bloomfield, $20 and John Downs, Bardstown, $10.

CAMPAIGN EXPENSES. Hamilton’s report reflects heavy spending on the campaign essentials – advertising, signs and campaign materials.

The campaign’s largest expense was $1,195 for advertising in the local print media. Other large expenses included materials to create, install and brace signs ($972. 61) and the purchase of campaign buttons and ink pens ($357.50). The campaign also spent a total of $273 at Toddy’s Liquors for beer provided at a campaign chili supper fundraiser and a ballgame party.

Hamilton's latest report showed that he reimbursed his wife Cheryl Hamilton $59.98 for printer ink. He paid $100 to Julie Haydon of Bardstown for reseach and data organization, and reimbursed Faye Newton, a Louisville Road homeowner, $85 for damage done to lawnmower tires by a campaign sign.

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