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Moffat County candidates file financial reports

Frank Moe leading candidates in spending

Brian Smith

Moffat County candidate expenditures:

County commission, District 2:

• Audrey Danner — $3,598.07

• Tony St. John — $2,813.40

• Tami Barnes — $483.73

County commission, District 3:

• Frank Moe —$9,545.32

• Tom Mathers — $658.24

County clerk and recorder:

• Lila Herod — $425.92

County assessor:

• Carol Scott — $1,782.26

• Robert Razzano — $1,760.24

County coroner:

• Larry Dalton — $1,136.89

• Kirk McKey — $514.93

County sheriff:

• Tim Jantz — $596.65

County surveyor:

• Peter Epp — $0

County treasurer:

• Mike Brinks — $1,800.13

• Elaine Sullivan — $1,167.79

— Figures reveal spending up to July 15, and are according to reports released by the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office

Moffat County candidate expenditures:

County commission, District 2:

• Audrey Danner — $3,598.07

• Tony St. John — $2,813.40



• Tami Barnes — $483.73

County commission, District 3:



• Frank Moe —$9,545.32

• Tom Mathers — $658.24

County clerk and recorder:

• Lila Herod — $425.92

County assessor:

• Carol Scott — $1,782.26

• Robert Razzano — $1,760.24

County coroner:

• Larry Dalton — $1,136.89

• Kirk McKey — $514.93

County sheriff:

• Tim Jantz — $596.65

County surveyor:

• Peter Epp — $0

County treasurer:

• Mike Brinks — $1,800.13

• Elaine Sullivan — $1,167.79

— Figures reveal spending up to July 15, and are according to reports released by the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office

As the primary election draws near, the campaign activity of Moffat County candidates for public office is increasing.

One indicator of candidate activity — fundraising and expenditures — was released Tuesday by the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office.

John Ponikvar, Moffat County Republican Central Committee chairman, contends the amount of money spent on a campaign, particularly in a local election, doesn’t necessarily translate to a candidate being elected.

“I don’t see advertising in a small community swaying anybody,” he said. “I think that the most effective advertising, and from what I have been told by local candidates, is when they go door-to-door … (they) get to meet these people face to face.

“I think it is what people of a small community expect.”

Ponikvar said in a rural area like Moffat County, local candidates may be the only political figures many residents see.

“We can’t touch those federal and state candidates, but we can certainly reach out and touch and visit with these local candidates,” he said.

Financial reports reflect candidates’ spending and contributions up to July 15.

Frank Moe, a candidate for Moffat County Commission, District 3 leads all 14 county candidates in money raised and spent, according to the reports.

Moe reported he has spent $9,545.32 on his campaign. He reported that he has raised $10,400.20 in campaign contributions.

His opponent, incumbent District 3 commissioner Tom Mathers, reported spending $658.24 on his campaign.

Audrey Danner, incumbent District 2 commissioner, reported spending $3,598.07 on her campaign.

Tony St. John, who is also running for District 2, reported spending $2,813.40. St. John said he has raised $3,050 in contributions.

Tami Barnes, a write-in candidate for District 2, said she did not file a financial report with the state, but said she has spent $483.73 on her campaign.

Mike Brinks, a candidate for county treasurer, reported spending $1,800.13 on his campaign. Brinks reported he received $750 in contributions and $1,050.13 in loans.

Elaine Sullivan, also a candidate for county treasurer, reported spending $1,167.79 on her campaign. She reported raising $2,030 in contributions.

Carol Scott, a candidate for county assessor, reported spending $1,782.26 on her campaign. She reported raising $2,700 in contributions.

Robert Razzano, also a candidate for county assessor, reported spending $1,760.24. He reported he raised $2,100 in contributions and reported $3,513.90 in non-monetary contributions.

Kirk McKey, a candidate for county coroner, reported spending $264.93 on his campaign to the state, but said an expense was left out of the report. McKey said he has spent $514.93 total.

Larry Dalton, also a candidate for county coroner, reported spending $1,136.89 on his campaign.

Sheriff Tim Jantz, who is running for re-election unopposed, reported spending $596.65 on his campaign. Jantz reported he has raised $800 in total contributions.

Lila Herod, candidate for county clerk and recorder, reported spending $424.92. She reported she has raised $550 in contributions and $100 in non-monetary contributions. She is running unopposed.

Peter Epp, a candidate for county surveyor, reported that he hasn’t spent any money on his campaign. He is running unopposed.

Ponikvar said there have been county commission candidates who have spent up to $30,000 on a campaign. But, that doesn’t mean a candidate who spends $5,000 can’t win the election, he said.

“I don’t think on the local level it’s as effective as it is on the state and federal levels,” he said of spending money on political advertising. “But, at the same time, you have to get your message out there.”

Mail-in ballots arriving in mail boxes

Moffat County Elections Supervisor Stephanie Beckett said she began sending out mail-in ballots to county residents Monday.

Beckett said she mailed 1,394 ballots to residents who have signed up as permanent mail-in voters, or have otherwise requested the service.

Residents can request a mail-in ballot up to Aug. 3. Unaffiliated voters requesting mail-in ballots for the primary election will not receive a ballot until they declare an affiliation, Beckett said.

Mail-in ballots will also be collected at the four polling places in Moffat County for the first time this year, Beckett said.

All ballots must be returned to the elections department by 7 p.m. Aug. 10.

There are four voting centers in Moffat County open on election days from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. They are at Centennial Mall, 1111 W. Victory Way; Hamilton Community Center, 17400 S. Colorado Highway 13; Maybell Community Center, 103 Ellis St.; and the Dinosaur Library, 400 W. School St.

Any Moffat County resident may vote at any of the county’s voting centers.

Residents can vote early starting Aug. 2 and ending Aug 6. in the elections department of the Moffat County Courthouse, 221 W. Victory Way. The department will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Voters will need picture identification to vote.


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