Follow the money.
That catch phrase was popularized by the 1976 docudrama film “All the President’s Men,” which suggests political corruption can be brought to light by examining money transfers between parties.
While the phrase has a negative connotation, examining who is contributing, how much, and what is spent can tell a lot about a candidate.
Campaign finance disclosures that were filed Friday with the county clerk’s office show that people backing candidates aren’t afraid to open their pocketbook.
District 5 candidate Rep. Alan Campbell was the biggest fundraiser with a total of $13,475, with more than half coming from out-of-state contributors.
Campbell reported seven contributions of $1,225 — the maximum allowed an individual or political committee — coming from residents of Wadworth, Illinois; Lookout Mountain, Georgia; Scottsdale, Arizona and Aspen, Colorado.
Campbell also reported a $2,000 contri- bution from the Leelanau County Republican Party.
His opponent, Democrat incumbent Kama Ross, has raised a cumulative $9,150 this election cycle with the most recent contributions coming from the Leelanau County Democratic Party ($1,000); Eugene and Peggy Miller of Leland ($1,150) and $50 from Joyce Hartom of Lake Leelanau. As of the filing date, Ross had spent $1,336, much of this for advertisements in the Enterprise.
District 6 candidate Republican Mark Roberts of Empire reported contributions of $4,400 with $1,000 coming from Northport resident Gary Hosking.
Hosking contributed the same amount to District 4 candidate, Republican Jim White and District 1 candidate, Tim McCalley, also a GOP candidate.
District 7 candidate Steve Yoder, a Republican, reported a total of $6,950 raised, including $2,000 from himself.
His opponent, Tim Dowd of Cedar, a Democrat, has raised $4,485.
District 1 candidate McCalley reported $5,243 raised this election cycle. David Kiessel of Suttons Bay made a $200 contribution.
McCalley’s opponent, Democrat Rick Robbins, a raised $2,552 with much of this coming from his own pockets.
District 3 candidate Lois Bahle has a war chest of $5,055, with $700 in donations since the last campaign filing in late July. This support came with $250 from Tom Foerster; $200 from Karen Hassevort and $100 from Nancy Wick — all from Suttons Bay.
Her Republican opponent Will Bunek reported $2,915 raised with the biggest amount — $2,000 — coming from Leelanau County Republicans and $365 from the Republican Women of Leelanau County.
Jim White, Republican candidate for the District 4 seat reported $7,700 in contributions.
In addition to Hosking’s $1,000 contribution, White was supported with contributions of $200 from David Kiessel of Suttons Bay and Stephen Tostige of Cedar and $200 from Richard C. Herman of Lake Leelanau.
Democrat Ty Wessell, White’s opponent, reported $3,919 raised and spent all but $100 on printing and advertising.
District 6 candidate Gwenne Allgaier has raised $5,209 with a $250 check from Stephanie and Bob Sutherland of Glen Arbor; $200 from Carl and Dennis Becker of Empire and $100 contributions from Mary and James Stephens of Maple City and Dennis Hayes of Glen Arbor.
Her opponent, Republican Mark Roberts of Empire reported $4,400 in contributions. As of last week, Roberts had spent $3,674 of this.
In District 2, not much money was raised or spent.
Democrat Scott Perry has raised $1,036 and his Republican opponent Mark Walter didn’t spend or receive more than $1,000 threshold for filing set by the state.
Expenses have mostly been printing and advertising.
However, four Republicans paid “political consultant” Jennifer Smeltzer of Bear Lake $500 each.
