Gillespie campaign cash tops rivals

Incumbent Doug Gillespie has raised and spent thousands of dollars more than the other five candidates combined in the nonpartisan race for Clark County sheriff.

All six sheriff candidates filed campaign contributions and expense reports by the June 1 due date. Candidates are required by law to keep track of incoming campaign-related contributions and expenses, right down to the penny.

In his report, Gillespie recorded $192,488.57 in contributions and $301,390.70 in expenses.

He spent a large chunk of his money, more than $26,000, on advertising. At least $8,200 of that was in printing costs.

Five payments totaling $25,000 were spent over four months for political consultation at a Las Vegas-based firm. An additional $12,500 was spent on a different city consulting firm.

He also paid $5,000 to a polling firm.

The other $232,500 is broken down into office supply costs, third party groups, travel expenses, campaign employee paychecks and other special event expenses. Gillespie also reported $29,461.07 of in-kind contributions and expenses for fundraising events, electronic billboards, T-shirts and office space donated to his campaign.

Dan Barry came in second based on contributions to his campaign with a reported $34,639.17 and expenses totaling $23,962.07. His largest expense was for political consultation, which cost four payments totaling $23,281.14.

According to his report, Barry has loaned his campaign the most money of all the candidates. He has given his own money to the campaign 17 times, including a $20,000 payment in April.

Barry also reported $4,000 worth of in-kind contributions and expenses for T-shirts, fundraising and three "meet and greets."

Laurie P. Bisch reported $29,300 in campaign contributions with $26,387.55 in expenses.

Bisch loaned her campaign $17,000 in January. She spent $16,285.05 in advertising and $10,102.50 for polling done out of Washington, D.C.

She is reporting $9,450 of in-kind contributions and expenses. Someone donated her candidate website, which she reports is worth $5,000. Her $4,200 worth of political signs also were donated. A business gave her $250 of coffee and food.

Mark F. Beckerle is only reporting $520 of campaign expenses on bumper stickers and business cards.

Neither Tim Deam nor Gordon Martines reported contributions or money spent in promoting their candidacies.

Candidates are required to file another campaign contributions and expenses report with election officials on Oct. 26.