PORT ANGELES — The Nov. 6 general election race for Clallam County Superior Court Position 1 has generated $39,092 in campaign contributions, with Forks-area Clallam County District Court Judge Erik Rohrer outraising opponent Chris Melly by a more than 2-1 margin, according to state Public Disclosure Commission records.
That’s more than any election contest in Clallam County, although the Jefferson County Superior Court race between Quilcene lawyer Peggy Ann Bierbaum and Port Townsend lawyer Keith Harper has generated $64,784, making it the most expensive general election contest on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Rohrer, 54, a West End resident, has raised $27,761, of which more than $23,000 came out of his own pocket.
Rohrer donated $14,000 to his campaign and loaned it $9,350.
“It’s important to me that when I do something, I do it to the best of my ability,” Rohrer said last week.
“Getting out the message across the county is expensive,” he said.
“I’m committed to this campaign, and it’s worth it to me to invest money in it.”
Rohrer’s campaign expenditures include print and radio advertising and mailers.
He also has doorbelled, mostly in Sequim and Port Angeles, he said.
Melly, 61, Clallam County’s hearing examiner, has raised $11,376, including $6,396 that consisted of in-kind contributions, mostly expenses for advertising that Melly said he put on a credit card.
“I don’t study these things,” Melly said last week.
Melly also loaned his campaign $3,500.
“My wife and I decided we have a finite amount of money we could put into this, and I’m sure Erik did the same thing.”
His campaign sent out a general request for help, including contributions, Melly said.
“That’s the solicitation that’s been made,” he said.
Melly said he has confined his advertising expenditures to print media.
“For the most part, these things are self-financed,” he said.
Melly and Rohrer are running for the position being vacated by Ken Williams, who is retiring.
The position pays $148,832 a year.
Below are contributions of $100 or more to Melly’s and Rohrer’s campaigns from Clallam County.
Candidates also received contributions of under $100.
Melly’s contributors
■ $500: Dorothy Melly, Port Angeles.
■ $200: Ed Chadd, Port Angeles.
■ $100: Dave Cameron, Carlsborg; Diane Ralston, Port Angeles; Christopher Shea, Sequim.
Rohrer’s contributors
■ $500: Bill Peach, Forks.
■ $200: Judith Tozzer, Sequim.
■ $125: Jack E. Zaccardo, Jennifer K. Zaccardo, Beaver.
■ $100: William Benedict, Kristin P. Glenn, Michael Glenn, Virginia O’Neil, Sharon P. Pickett, all of Sequim; James Bennett, Forks; John D. Black, Becky Doherty, John Doherty, all of Port Angeles.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
