Major Democratic candidates in Lake County have major dollars, and they are spending them lavishly, Lake County campaign finance records filed Friday show.
The Lake County Board of Elections and Voter Registration released campaign finance disclosure reports indicating Democrats running for mayor in Gary, Hammond, East Chicago and Hobart are outspending their Republican opponents by a wide margin.
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. leads the Democratic campaign's richest list. He reports having more than $313,100 in his war chest and expenditures of more than $192,100.
Republican challenger George Janiec raised and spent only a little more than $2,600, but he remains undaunted.
"I don't know what (McDermott) has spent it on. Whatever it is, it isn't out on the street," Janiec said.
Crown Point Republican nominee Gayle Van Sessen is the only major GOP candidate to outspend her Democratic opponent. She has more than $78,500 and spent $47,600, while Democrat David Uran has $55,400 and spent $43,400.
East Chicago Mayor George Pabey has more than $184,300 and spent $177,900, while Republican challenger Arthur Santos Sr. reported raising only $600 and spending $400.
Disclosure forms for independent mayoral candidates Ronald O. Hayes and Carla Morgan were not available Friday afternoon.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay has more than $147,600. A report wasn't available for his Republican challenger Charles R. Smith Jr.
The divide narrowed in two suburban mayoral races.
Hobart Democratic nominee Brian Snedecor has more than $40,800 and spent more than $35,100, while Republican John Guthrie has more than $22,400 and spent more than 20,100.
"People support me because they believe in me and what I stand for," Snedecor said. "Business people know I will be fair, and there will be no special interests. I want to credit the work of my staff, who are a lot of citizens who were never active politically before."
Guthrie responded, "I've raised three times the money I had in my run for mayor four years ago. Money helps, but the difference between our two campaigns doesn't mean much."
