VALPARAISO | The two candidates for South District county commissioner raised about half the money this year as was generated by the candidates in the last contested general election race for the board in 2010.
Republican Mike Heinold collected $55,168 during the last six months for a total of $58,915 for the year. That's compared with Democrat Laura Blaney, who had contributions of $46,877 and $49,772, respectively, according to candidate financial reports that were due Friday.
Republican Nancy Adams and Democrat Bob Harper each collected more than $100,000 during Adam's successful bid for the Center District commissioner seat two years ago.
The larger individual donors to Heinold's campaign include Matt Gariup, of Gary, and Stewart and Kathryn McMillan, at $5,000 each.
Heinold also received $5,200 from Healtheaccess Clinics, of Portage; $5,000 from the Indiana Realtors Political Action Committee; $2,600 from G.E. Marshall, of Valparaiso; $2,500 each from In Touch Pharmaceuticals, of Valparaiso, Apple Core, of Hobart, and Steiner Homes, of Valparaiso; and $2,250 from Friends of Ed Soliday Committee.
Blaney loaned $13,000 to her campaign and received $1,450 from Mitch Peters, of Valparaiso, and $1,200 each from Michael and Vicki Keeven, of Indianapolis, and from her husband's father, Ken Blaney Sr., of Valparaiso.
She also received $1,300 from the Rhame & Elwood law firm of Portage, which represents the County Council on which she now serves; and $600 from Iron Workers Local 395 IPAL.
Republican Ralph Neff reported the largest amount of contributions among the candidates seeking three at-large seats on the County Council, according the financial reports.
Neff reported contributions for the year of $28,650, compared with $19,622 reported by Democrat incumbent Dan Whitten, $13,715 by Republican Joe Wszolek, $12,800 by Republican Mark Hoffman, $10,000 by Democrat Bob Poparad and $9,775 by incumbent Democrat Sylvia Graham.
Porter Superior Court Judge Bill Alexa, a Democrat, reported contributions for the year of $30,650, compared with his Republican challenger Anthony Pampalone at $18,503.
Republican surveyor candidate Richard Hudson reported contributions for the year of $4,998, compared with $2,500 by Democratic incumbent Kevin Breitzke.
The Porter County Democratic Central Committee reported contributions of $42,230 for the year, or more than double the $20,877 reported by the Porter County Republican Central Committee.
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