By LARRY THOMAS
Jeffersonville’s campaign-finance and ethics ordinance may have changed the way candidates for city offices raise money, but it has not stopped former Mayor Tom Galligan from raising more than $81,000 since the May primary.
Galligan, the Democratic Party nominee for mayor, has raised $81,029.79 in the latest reporting period, compared to Republican Party nominee Monty Snelling’s $4,726.60, according to campaign finance reports that were due at noon Friday.
That means Galligan — who served as the city’s mayor from 1996 to 2003 — raised approximately $17 for every dollar Snelling raised.
Snelling submitted his campaign finance report to Clark County Voter Registration on Thursday, while Galligan’s was a little more than three hours late Friday.
Galligan’s financial advantage included more than 350 contributions from individuals and businesses. Snelling’s report included just a handful of cash and in-kind contributions.
During interviews earlier this week, both candidates applauded the city’s campaign-finance ordinance, which took effect with this year’s elections. The ordinance prohibits candidates from accepting more than $100 during a campaign cycle from anyone doing $10,000 or more per year in business with the city or anyone who has engaged in or has threatened litigation against the city. The restrictions cover activities for an eight-year period, including four before the election and four after.
“I think it’s a positive,” said Galligan. “It’s a little difficult raising money, because you’ve got to raise it from individuals. I think the ordinance has served its purpose.”
Snelling, a Clark County councilman, said, “I think it’s kept a lot of the past players out who wanted to do business with the city. It’s kind of fended them off.
“If I’ve got to buy this election, I don’t want it.”
Four years ago, Mayor Rob Waiz beat Galligan in the primary and then bested Snelling in the general election.
During the same reporting period in 2003, Waiz raised $119,638.26 and Snelling $41,965.12.
According to the reports filed this week, Snelling’s campaign has $2,470.76 cash on hand and no debts, while Galligan’s campaign has $25,192.92 cash on hand and a $15,000 debt to Galligan for money he loaned the campaign earlier this year.
Earlier this week, before the reports were filed, David Buskill, who co-chairs Snelling’s campaign, said, “I don’t think either campaign is awash with cash right now.”
Phil McCauley, Galligan’s campaign manager, said donors to Galligan’s campaign have been told of the city’s campaign finance law and the restrictions on getting city business if they donate more than $100.
“We’ve had a whole number of people who step up and say, ‘That’s OK,’” said McCauley.
Charlestown
Mayor’s race
Bob Hall
Raised: $12,159.20
Cash on hand: $2,308.36
Mike Hall
Raised: $25,536.88
Cash on hand: $14,620.01
Council District 2
Terry Pierce
Raised: $258.40
Cash on hand: $0
George Roberts
Raised: $542.55
Cash on hand: $0
Council District 3
Bill Resch
No report
Scott McKechnie
Raised: $410
Cash on hand: $54.87
Council District 4
Brian Walker
No report
Dan Roberts
Raised: $476.68
Cash on hand: $25
Council At-large
Bruce Bottorff
Raised: $559.90
Cash on hand: $0
Mark Goodlett
No report
Clarksville
Council District 2
Gene Richert
Raised: $850
Cash on hand: $650
Greg Hertzsch
Raised: $0
Cash on hand: $0
Council At-large
Vicki Appleby
Raised: $0
Cash on hand: $0
Greg Isgrigg
Raised: $500
Cash on hand: $596.50
Jodi Leonard
No report
Keith Sellmer
No report
Sellersburg
Clerk-Treasurer
David Kinder
Raised: $1,410
Cash on hand: $0
Tom Schuster
Raised: $745
Cash on hand: $151.77
Council District 1
Rick Ashabranner
No report
Paul Rhodes
No report
Council District 2
James LaMaster
No report
Mike Hostetler
No report
Council District 3
Roy Everitt
Raised: $561.89
Cash on hand: $0
Michael Lockhart
No report
Council District 4
Terry Langford
Raised: $0
Cash on hand: $96.44
Trinette Imhof
No report
Council At-large
Brian Meyer
Raised: $208.47
Cash on hand: $0
Doug Reiter
No report
