Spending, receipts reported in D.A. race
With early voting ongoing and the general election only days away, the two candidates for the district attorney's race are making their final push for the office.
Tuesday marked the second deadline for candidates in races throughout the county to report campaign contributions and expenses before the Nov. 2 general election. Early voting ends Friday.
Republican incumbent David Roger reported spending three times what he raised from May 28 to Oct. 21. He raised $114,493 compared to the $376,541 he spent during the most recent filing period.
That brought his campaign funding to $473,174.
Roger spent most of his money on political consultants and advertising, including $300,000 to a Washington, D.C.-based firm for advertising.
Roger, who is seeking a third term, also reported more than $13,000 in in-kind contributions.
Democratic challenger Don Chairez's campaign finance report is mostly blank for this period except for a $125,000 loan to his own campaign. He reported receiving no other campaign contributions this period.
His campaign has raised $330,129, of which $325,000 has been self-funded.
Chairez reported spending $278,404 -- at least $264,000 on advertising, including two recent television spots.
In his ads, Chairez alleges Roger gives preferential treatment, or "sweetheart deals," in the courtroom to clients of lawyers who contribute to his campaign financially.
His most recent example claims socialite Paris Hilton was given leniency after her August drug arrest in Las Vegas. Her Las Vegas-based lawyer, David Chesnoff, had given money to Roger's campaign. The television spot points out a $10,000 donation on Roger's 2009 annual campaign finance report from Chesnoff, who has given to Roger since his first campaign in 2001.
Four in 10 likely Clark County voters said they hadn't made up their mind who they'll vote for in the DA's race, according to a September poll sponsored by the Review-Journal and 8NewsNow.
In that poll, Roger drew 36 percent of the support and Chairez, 23 percent.
Contact Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.
