Incumbent Steve Tharinger and challenger Bob Forde have raised a combined $48,909.96 in their quest for the District 1 position of the Clallam County Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 6 general election.
Forde, a Sequim Republican, has the largest single contribution, $10,000.
But his opponent, Tharinger, a Dungeness Democrat, counts among his donations $30 each from fellow Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman and his wife, Bobbi, of Port Angeles.
That’s just one slice of the quieter but no less significant money race that parallels the stump speeches and political forums of the 2007 general election.
Because Forde and Tharinger raised at least $3,500 and accepted contributions of $300 or more this election season, they are required to file detailed lists of contributors and expenses with the state Public Disclosure Commission.
Forde, the 62-year-old sales manager of Sequim Auto Sales, received $10,000 from the Clallam County Republican Central Committee, half his total cash and in-kind contributions of $21,320.30 as of Oct. 12, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.
Tharinger, 58 and running for his third term – he defeated Sue Forde, Bob Forde’s wife, in 2003 – received $27,589.64, including $1,000 from the Clallam County Democratic Club, his largest contributor.
But Tharinger counts among them 54 contributors of $100 or more to Forde’s 15 who donated $100 or more.
The Chapmans donated $60, expressly so it would show up on Public Disclosure Commission records, he said.
“That ensured that we were listed by the PDC so people would know my endorsement came with financial support,” he said.
“What’s the use of endorsing someone if no one know you’re endorsing him? Then it’s just playing politics.”
Tharinger has spent $1,800 on radio advertising, and other funds on “motion ads” on Clallam Transit buses, he said.
Like other candidates, his mailer is the major expense – $10,000.
Noting Tharinger has an advantage as a two-term incumbent, Forde said he wasn’t paying much attention to the contribution side of his campaign.
“I have had my head down and my backside up,” and he’s “hoping our message gets through,” Forde said.
Forde said he may do a mailer but has spent money for signs and advertising.
His contributions include $500 from the Washington Association of Realtors and $300 from the Republican Women of Clallam County.
