From inflatables to voter databases, how Wake County candidates spent their money

Inflatables, voter databases, campaign signs and online advertisements.

That’s just a few of the things Wake County commissioner candidates spent their money on so far this election cycle. The third quarter reports were due at the end of October, but they show the numbers so far this year. The full reports can be found online at ncsbe.gov.

Here’s a look at who is donating to the Wake County commissioner candidates and how those candidates are spending that money.

Greg Jones

Jones is a political newcomer who is seeking the District 1 seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners. The Republican lives in Wendell and works as a contractor.

• Contributions from individuals: $8,677.24
  
  
• Total contributions: $15,314.69
  
  
• Total expenditures: $12,943.40
  
  
• Cash on hand: $2,371.29
  
  
• Notable expenditures: $5,830 for online advertising to Fairway Outdoor Advertising, $1,292 for radio advertisement on the country station WQDR.
  
  

Contributions over $1,000:

• Lillie Jones, $1,000
  
  
• Greg Jones, $1,500 (he has also loaned himself $4,900 for his campaign.)

Sig Hutchinson

Hutchinson is the sitting incumbent for the District 1 seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners. The Democrat has served on the board since 2014.

• Contributions from individuals: $164,558.83
  
  
• Total contributions: $181,022.99
  
  
• Total expenditures: $145,043.22
  
  
• Cash on hand: $39,065.31
  
  
• Notable expenditures: $15,000 for “fundraising and compliance services” from Ad Astra Consulting, $30,034.23 for Articulon for advertisement, website hosting, poll handouts, design services and other items, and $1,000 to the Committee to Elect Susan Evans.
  
  

Contributions more than $1,000:

• Kenneth Ray Allen, $1,000
  
  
• Sanford Bailey, $5,200
  
  
• Ann Goodnight, $1,000
  
  
• Anya Gordon, $1,444.59
  
  
• John Kane, $1,000
  
  
• Carlton Midyette, $1,000
  
  
• NC Home Builders Association Build PAC, $1,000
  
  
• NC Realtors PAC, $3,500
  
  
• Southern States Police Benevolent Association PAC, $1,000
  
  
• Hutchinson also has a $15,000 loan to himself.

Frann Sarpolus

This is the first time Sarpolus has run for political office but she’s been active in the local Republican Party. She did not respond to an N&O questionnaire, but her campaign finance reports say she’s a retired biblical counselor. She’s the Republican candidate for the District 2 seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

• Contributions from individuals: $2,280.08
  
  
• Total contributions: $3,580.08
  
  
• Total expenditures: $3,482.75
  
  
• Cash on hand: $97.33
  
  
• Notable expenditures: $1,000 to Political Law Signs for campaign signs.
  
  

Contributions more than $1,000:

• None

Matt Calabria

Calabria is the District 2 incumbent for Wake County Commissioner. The Democrat has served on the board since 2014.

• Contributions from individuals: $61,419.10
  
  
• Total contributions: $108,549.24
  
  
• Total expenditures: $90,906.51
  
  
• Cash on hand: $17,642.73
  
  
• Notable expenditures: $9,582.87 to Nexus Strategies for compliance consulting and $7,202 to James Whalen for strategic consulting.
  
  

Contributions more than $1,000:

• Julianna Calabria, $5,200
  
  
• Michael B. Conlon, $2,500
  
  
• John Kane, $2,535
  
  
• NC Home Builders Association PAC, $1,000
  
  
• NC Realtors PAC, $3,500

Kim Coley

Coley is a first-time candidate for office but has been active in the local Republican Party. She is the Republican candidate seeking the District 4 seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

• Contributions from individuals: $22,775.15
  
  
• Total contributions: $65,170.14
  
  
• Total expenditures: $39,401.89
  
  
• Cash on hand: $25,768.25
  
  
• Notable expenditures: $890 to Troy Carlton for video production, $17,94.90 to Spectrum Research for advertising, $2,584 to Indy Week for advertisements, $6,971.70 to IHeartMedia for advertisement.
  
  

Contributions more than $1,000:

• Robert Baker, $2,000
  
  
• Kim Coley, $1,18.25 (she’s also loaned $40,000 to herself)
  
  
• Charles Dingee, $2,995
  
  
• Gayle Edwards, $1,000
  
  
• John Hiester, $1,000
  
  
• Graig Huggins, $1,000
  
  
• W. Harold Perry, $1,000
  
  

Susan Evans

Evans is the Democratic candidate seeking the District 4 seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners. She’s a former Wake County Board of Education member and beat the sitting incumbent in the Democratic primary.

• Contributions from individuals: $73,318.52
  
  
• Total contributions: $94,891.11
  
  
• Total expenditures: $78,529.87
  
  
• Cash on hand: $16,361.24
  
  
• Notable expenditures: $10,868 to Perry Woods for political consulting and $750 to NGP Van for monthly subscription to voter database.
  
  

Contributions more than $1,000:

• Ann Campbell, $2,500
  
  
• Citizens for Sig Hutchinson, $1,000
  
  
• Carey Dean Debnam, $5,200
  
  
• John M. Kane, $1,000
  
  
• NC Realtors PAC, $1,500
  
  
• John Wilson, $1,250

Greg Ford

Ford is the incumbent for the District 6 seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners. The Democrat has served on the board since 2016.

• Contributions from individuals: $25,968.62
  
  
• Total contributions: $39,798.47
  
  
• Total expenditures: $23,160.25
  
  
• Cash on hand: $16,638.22
  
  
• Notable expenditures: $7,781.24 to Perry Woods for consulting, $2,700 to the Wake County Democratic Party and $640.58 to ACTBlue for software.
  
  

Contributions more than $1,000:

• John Campbell, $2,500
  
  
• Committee to Elect Jessica Holmes, $1,000
  
  
• Carey Debnam, $5,200
  
  
• Sesha Debnam, $5,200
  
  
• NC Home Builders Association PAC, $1,000
  
  
• NC Realtors PAC, $1,000
  
  
• Southern States Police Benevolent Association PAC, $1,000
  
  
• John Wilson, $1,000
  
  

David Blackwelder

Blackwelder is a political newcomer and is the Republican candidate for the District 6 seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners. He’s a police officer.

• Contributions from individuals: $10,205.78
  
  
• Total contributions: $11,940.95
  
  
• Total expenditures: $11,750.22
  
  
• Cash on hand: $190.73
  
  
• Notable expenditures: $733.63 to Facebook for advertisements, $1,460 to Twitter for advertisements and $718.16 to UZ Marketing for yard signs.
  
  

Contributions more than $1,000:

• Robert Barker, $1,000
  
  
• David Blackwelder, $3,937

Alex Moore

Moore is the Republican candidate for the District 7 seat for the Wake County Board of Commissioners. Moore did not respond to a N&O questionnaire.

• Contributions from individuals: $220.00
  
  
• Total contributions: $4,195.00
  
  
• Total expenditures: $4,179.57
  
  
• Cash on hand: $15.43
  
  
• Notable expenditures: $493.20 to CM&Co for accounting services.
  
  

Contributions more than $1,000:

• None
  
  

Vickie Adamson

Adamson is a political newcomer who is seeking the Wake County Commissioner District 7. She successfully beat incumbent John Burns in the Democratic primary.

• Contributions from individuals: $49,986.13
  
  
• Total contributions: $68,262.89
  
  
• Total expenditures: $56,092.82
  
  
• Cash on hand: $12,170.07
  
  
• Notable expenditures: $777.55 to Big Bounce Party Rentals for inflatables, $3,445.06 to Longleaf Agency for palm cards, preprinted donations envelopes and monthly retainer, and $3,700 to the Wake County Democratic Party for yard signs.
  
  

Contributions more than $1,000:

• Ann Campbell, $2,500
  
  
• Dean Debnam, $2,000
  
  
• John Kane, $1,000
  
  
• NC Realtors PAC, $1,000
• Southern Benevolent Association PAC Fund, $1,000
• John Wilson, $1,250