Walt Bietsch leads spending in race for Chambersburg mayor

CHAMBERSBURG - Walt Bietsch, a retired Chambersburg police officer, is the top spender in the four-way race for Chambersburg mayor.

Candidates running in the 2017 municipal election recently submitted their campaign expense reports for the period March 15 to May 1. The primary election is Tuesday.

Bietsch’s campaign spent $3,479, about $1,000 more than either the campaigns for Joan Smith or William McLaughlin. The committee for Smith, a small business owner and member of the Chambersburg Area school board, spent $2,585. The committee for McLaughlin, a commercial realtor and former borough council member, spent $2,479. The committee for Ilana Vojnovich, a political newcomer and electrical engineer, spent $1,183.

The candidates spent most of their money on signs, mailings to voters, yard signs and door hangers.  Vojnovich also spent $57 for ads and boosts on Facebook.

Bietsch, McLaughlin, Smith and Vojnovich are running in the GOP primary. Eugene Rideout, who announced a last-minute write-in campaign on the Democratic ballot, did not file an expense report.

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Campaigns having less than $250 in expenses or contributions during the report period are not required to file.

Tim Rife, an electrician running for Guilford Township supervisor, spent more than any candidate filing a report. Rife reported expenses of $4,943. His opponent, Mike Ferguson, a 12-year employee of the township, did not file a report. Both are Republicans.

The three-way race for magisterial district judge in the Waynesboro area is about as expensive as the Chambersburg mayoral race.

The committee for Heather Lowman, the office assistant to the current judge, has spent the equivalent of $3,225 -- $2,282 in expenses and $943 from in-kind contributions. The committee for Annie Gomez Shockey, an attorney, has spent $3,183. The committee for Travis Carbaugh, a Waynesboro police officer, has spent $1,434. The three candidates have cross-filed so their names appear on both Democratic and Republican ballots.

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Two of three Republicans running for Hamilton Township supervisor reported campaign expenses. Ron Yeager had $515 in expenses and $451 in in-kind contributions. Rich Troup spent $624. Richard Conner did not file a report.

In the race for Quincy Township supervisor between Republicans, incumbent Kerry Bumbaugh spent $806 while challenger Frank Mong spent $1,830.

A large portion of local campaign spending comes directly from the candidates' pockets. Bietsch topped the field in financial support from others. Contributors gave $2,500 to his campaign.