Who spent the most during the fall municipal election?

Feb 7, 2019 | 11:40 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – Elections BC is releasing financial disclosure statements for those who ran in the fall municipal election.

This past election there was a number one spender,  councillor Kyle Sampson. Sampson received almost $21,000 worth of contributions to his campaign, and the spending appeared to have worked as the newcomer came in with the second highest amount of votes.  In contrast,  veteran and top vote getter Brian Skakun received just under $3,000.

There were a couple of uncuccessful council candidates who gathered a good amount of donations.  Former councillor Cameron Stolz raised $11,900 while Dave Fuller fundraised just over $5,200.

Mayor Lyn Hall got $4,700 from his backers, a vast difference from 2014 when he received over $41,000.

Elections BC changed the rules this time around,  with candidates only able to receive personal donations instead of funding from unions and businesses.  Donations for the first time were capped at $22,000 in the hopes of making a successful run for office more achievable without having to fundraise as much.

“People who were wanting to get in for the first time and may not have the ability to raise as much money as much as incumbants would have,  I think it did level the playing field for them,” said Mayor Lyn Hall.

2018 campaign contributions – (rounded to nearest dollar)

Mayor Lyn Hall –  $4,700
Willy Enns – $0

Elected councillors –

Kyle Sampson – $20,968
Frank Everitt – $6,866
Terri McConnachie – $6,285
Susan Scott – $5,488
Murry Krause – $4,390
Cori Ramsay – $3,879
Garth Frizzell – $3,003
Brian Skakun – $2,950

Unsuccessful Candidates –

Cameron Stolz – $11,900
Dave Fuller – $5,215
Paul Serup – $707
Viv Fox – $455
Chris Wood – $200

The full amount of funds raised and spent is now available for public access on the Elections BC website. 

 

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