Cory, James big primary spenders

Erin Neff

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002 | 11:13 a.m.

The Republicans vying for Erin Kenny's County Commission seat obviously believe the race will be decided in the primary.

Campaign contribution and expense reports filed Tuesday show hundreds of thousands of dollars spent between District F front-runners Tim Cory and Mark James.

Cory spent $252,875 of the $259,592 he had collected for the race. The report also shows a series of loans Cory gave himself totaling $134,100.

James' report was not immediately available because he sent his report by certified mail postmarked by deadline of 5 p.m. Tuesday.

In an interview this morning James said he has raised $524,125 and spent $416,089.

That money has gone to an aggressive campaign with multiple mailers to residents and for signs and television ads.

Republican Devin Smith is largely running a grass-roots campaign. Democrat Frank Boehnlein awaits the primary winner.

In the District E race, incumbent Democrat Myrna Williams has taken in $503,729 for her re-election bid.

Her closest Democratic primary opponent, Nevada Stupak, raised $70,890, including $30,500 he loaned his campaign.

Stupak has also spent $93,181, leaving him $22,291 in the hole for the current reporting period. Democrat Tony Badillo is also in the race.

Williams has spent $364,142, including $316,563 to Paladin Advertising.

Stupak, the son of gaming maverick Bob Stupak, has spent his money on polling, signs and mailers.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid's son, Rory Reid, has amassed $831,000 for the race to replace Commission Chairman Dario Herrera in District G. Herrera is running for Congress.