10192015 - News Article - Snyder out-earns, out spends Clancy so far in Portage mayor's race

Snyder out-earns, out spends Clancy so far in Portage mayor's race
NWI Times
October 19, 2015
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/snyder-out-earns-out-spends-clancy-so-far-in-portage/article_dae625ee-0e90-5e7e-bc25-a8ef4756bfe6.html

PORTAGE | Portage Mayor James Snyder has out-earned and outspent his opponent in the race for mayor in November.

However, his opponent, Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy, has more money in his campaign coffers heading into the final two weeks of the campaign.

Candidates in the Nov. 3 elections had until Friday to file campaign finance reports with the Porter County election board. The reports outline donations received and expenses made from both the first of the year until Oct. 9 and for this reporting period, which began April 11 to Oct. 9.

According to Snyder's report, he entered the year with $621 on hand, but has raised $193,234 since Jan. 1. He has also spent $170,666 since the beginning of the year, leaving his campaign with $23,188 to spend. He also reports having debts of $18,307.

Clancy started the year with nothing in the bank and has raised $111,635 since Jan. 1. His campaign has spent $61,824 so far this year, leaving him with $49,810 in the bank. He also reports debts of $110.

"Raising money for a campaign is hard work just like the rigors of the door to door and attendance of city events. My team and I have worked hard and we are earning our support, not expecting it," Snyder said in a written statement.

"It just proves that I can do more with less," Clancy said Monday, adding his campaign is more of a grassroots effort, garnering smaller donations from "working class people who want a change."

Both candidate's largest campaign donors are labor unions.

Snyder received $10,000 from the Northern Indiana Operators Joint Labor Management Political Action Committee. Clancy received $16,685 from the Iron Workers Local 395 IPAL and another $5,000 from the Indiana State Ironworkers PAC.

"Our largest contributor the Operating Engineers Union Local 150 is a testament to my belief in the hard working Portage union family and my representation of their hard work in Portage and downstate. It also exemplifies the respect that I personally have of our city employees and their fair treatment as most of them are represented by the Operating Engineers," Snyder said.

Snyder's largest contribution from an individual was $7,500 from Stewart McMillan, of Valparaiso. He also received more than 30 other donations of $2,000 or more from individuals, corporations and PACs.

Clancy's donations came in a smaller amounts. He had only four other donations reaching the $2,000 mark or more, including a $10,000 donation from the Citizens for Chuck (Moseley) Committee.

As for expenditures, one of Snyder's largest expenses was for consultants. The report state he paid KLT Consulting LLC, owned by campaign treasurer Kenard Taylor, $6,500 for his work. He also paid Mark it Red, a Lebanon, Ind.-based consulting firm, $23,530.

Clancy's largest single expense was to Baxter Printing of Highland for $9,965.

"If I need a consultant to tell me what the people of Portage want, then I'm not doing my job," Clancy said.