See which Sedgwick County Commission candidates raised and spent the most campaign cash

The top four candidates for Sedgwick County Commission spent more than $213,000 campaigning in the last reporting period from July 26 to Oct. 24, campaign finance reports released on Tuesday show.

The two Republican candidates — Jeff Blubaugh and Stephanie Wise — out-raised and outspent their Democratic opponents — Sarah Lopez and Celeste Racette — while the Democratic candidates both had a higher number of individual donors.

The Republican campaigns were largely buoyed by contributions from businesses and political action committees while the Democratic candidates received more contributions from unions and PACs.

Campaign finance advantages do not always translate to election victories, even in smaller-dollar local races with more concentrated voter bases. But they do show how much candidates spend trying to get elected, and who was willing to put up the money.

Blubaugh is challenging Lopez, the incumbent, for her District 2 seat, which represents southwest Sedgwick County, including parts of Wichita. Wise and Racette are competing for a vacant seat in District 3, including west Wichita and western Sedgwick County, after Commissioner David Dennis decided not to run for re-election.

Blubaugh’s campaign raised and spent by far the most money during the reporting period. He raised $46,832.50 and spent $76,492.44. He started the period with almost $47,000 cash on hand and ended it with $17,561.52.

He received money from 118 donors, including several business entries that are owned by Ron and Marty Cornejo and developer Jay Russell.

Lopez, the incumbent, raised $38,437.22 and spent $51,038.29. She had $34,685.97 cash on hand at the beginning of the reporting period and ended with $22,084.90. She had 123 donors, including multiple businesses held by developer Johnny Stevens and several labor union PACs.

In District 3, Stephanie Wise raised $40,876.87 and spent $56,749.91. She began the reporting period with $15,872.33 cash on hand and ended it with $6,042.09. She had 109 donors, including 10 businesses owned by developer Jay Russell and five associated with developer Johnny Stevens.

Celeste Racette, a Democratic candidate, raised $27,715 and spent $29,120.53. She started the reporting period with $5,557.48 cash on hand and ended it with $4,151.95. Racette had the highest number of donors — 153 — many of whom gave less than $100. She accepted a donation from one business — Douglas Ave Ventures, owned by Arthur Davis and Robin Van Huss — and pulled maximum donations from several labor union PACs.

Funds raised and spent Oct. 25 through Oct. 30 will be reported by the end of the month, but any contributions after that won’t be known until January.

Early voting has already started in Sedgwick County. Election Day is Nov. 5.

For more information on candidates in this race:

Your voter guide to who is running for Sedgwick County Commission seats

Lopez, Blubaugh clash on key issues, make their case to southwest Sedgwick County voters

Western Sedgwick County will have a new commissioner next year. Who will it be?

This story was originally published October 30, 2024 at 4:23 AM with the headline "See which Sedgwick County Commission candidates raised and spent the most campaign cash."