Preston outspending ward hopefuls

FINDLAY — The campaign for BJ Preston's bid for a Republican nomination for the 2nd Ward City Council seat had spent $2,184 as of Wednesday. He received $4,725 in cash contributions, leaving the campaign with $3,540 remaining for the final days of the race. Campaign committees spending or receiving $1,000 or more since filing their last report were required by law to file a pre-election campaign finance report by Thursday. Top contributors to Preston's campaign were Vernon Preston, Deborah Preston, each of whom gave $1,000, according to a filing with the Hancock County elections board. Clifford Browne and Joan Browne each donated $500. Other big contributors were David Glass, Carrie Glass, John Koehler, each $250; and Dennis Putman, $125. Donors of $100 each were: Steven Hile, Jack Volkmer, Levi Wittenmyer, Stephen Loach, David Hackenberg, Teresa Rasmussen and Nancy Moody-Russo. Contributing $50 each were: Mary Elizabeth Hammond, Elizabeth Hull and Kaylene Redman. BJ Preston extended a $1,000 loan to his campaign. The committee spent $1,510 for yard signs and door hangers; $544 for beverages, cups, napkins, invitations and other supplies for a fund-raising event; $116 for stamps. The committee received an in-kind contribution of designing of signs, door hangers and invitations, valued at $100, from Kevin Pancake. Preston's opponent, Michael Gentry, did not file a report. 7th Ward In the race for the GOP nomination for the 7th Ward Council seat, Brody Yingling is outspending Danny DeLong. Yingling's campaign received $2,043 in cash contributions and spent $1,655. Top contributors were: Yingling, $698; Brian Robertson, $250; Brent and Heather Yingling, of Carey, $150; Betty Dardio, Shaun Mason, Phil Rooney, Grant and Susan Russel, Kerry Trombley, Diana Iliff, $100 each. Donating $50 each were Alex Treece, Mary Casey, of North Baltimore; Dave and Carrie Glass, Randy and Becky Greeno, Mary Hammond, Keshia Mott, of Seguin, Texas. Yingling extended a $950 loan to his campaign. Yingling's campaign spent $950 for billboard advertising; $369 for campaign materials; $213 for printing; and $42 for a sign post driver. DeLong spent $574 of his own money on his campaign. He spent $400 for yard signs; $140 for post cards; and $25 for printing. 1st Ward In the race for the Republican nomination for Findlay City Council's 1st Ward seat, neither Holly Frische nor Nichole Coleman appear to have spent much. But Coleman reported receiving more outside contributions than Frische for the May 6 primary. Coleman's campaign committee had spent $316 of over $4,000 in cash contributions as of Tuesday, it reported in a filing with the Hancock County elections board. Joseph Loomis, of Dallas, was Coleman's top donor, $2,500. Contributions of $200 were made by Nancy Sheaffer and Dave Nessler. Dennis Putman donated $125. Contributions of $100 were made by: Coleman, David Murphy, Vernon Preston, Grant Russel, Judy Ridge; Verdie Bowen, of Wasilla, Alaska; Sheryl Haushalter, Other contributors were: Clifford Browne, $75; Thomas Lause, Mary Beth Hammond, Nevin Cline, Brian Whitta, each $50. Coleman made an in-kind contribution of $43 worth of stamps. Among the committee's expenditures was $288 for large yard signs. Frische donated $299 worth of campaign advertisements and mailing; and $42 worth of campaign post cards to her campaign. Her campaign committee brought forward $746 from previous races and did not spend any of it nor receive any new cash contributions. 5th Ward The campaign committee for Kimberly Meador, candidate seeking the Republican nomination for the 5th Ward seat on Findlay City Council, has spent $1,524 so far. Her campaign funds have come from herself and her husband. Her campaign spent $1,196 for signs; $285 for colored cards/business cards. The incumbent, Brian Bauman, did not file a campaign finance report.