LETTER TO THE EDITOR: HOW MUCH ARE COUNTY COMMISSION CANDIDATES SPENDING LOCALLY?
Written By Johnnt Kincaid
APRIL 24, 2024
Candidates who buy locally build positive relationships with local businesses when they spend their campaign funds locally.
Since the beginning of the year, over $200,000 has been given to the Republican candidates for Vanderburgh County Commissioner. Amy Canterbury, a newcomer to local politics, started with no funds in her political coffers and she raised $153,676 between January 1 and April 12, 2024.
Vanderburgh County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave started the year with $103,209 in her campaign watches and raised $52,758 for the primary. This gave each campaign about $150,000 to use to persuade your vote.
Amy Canterbury spent $110,010 since the first of the year.on her campaign, $42,500 went to Matchstick Media, an Ohio media consulting firm that does creative for nationwide political campaigns. Another $10,250 was paid for a polling company from Washington DC, and $23,835 went to KAP Print in Texas for direct mail. Canterbury’s total out-of-market spending was $75,585 or 70% of total spending.
Cheryl Musgrave spent a total of $56,055 on her primary campaign. Her financial report reveals that she spent the overwhelming majority of her political war chest locally. Her campaign advertising dollars were spent locally instead of using an out-of-market media buyer. The only truly out-of-town expenditure was $500 for data. The total out-of-town spending by the Musgrave campaign was less than one percent of her campaign budget.
Political officials and candidates should foster positive relationships with local businesses. There’s no better way to promote local businesses than to directly do business with them. Spending money locally shows that you are committed to the success of our community.
FOOTNOTE: This article was posted by the City-County Observer without bias or editing.
