Published in the April 25, 2016 edition.
WAKEFIELD — As of the April 18 filing deadline, Town Clerk candidate Betsy Sheeran had raised the most money of any candidate in the contested races in tomorrow’s town election. Selectman candidate Peter May was second in reported fundraising, taking in $4,225 in donations. Ronald J. Masse raised $3,400 in his campaign for School Committee.
Due to Monday’s Patriots’ Day holiday, candidates had until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19 to submit their campaign finance reports to the Town Clerk’s office.
Sheeran reported raising $6,700 on top of $23.66 on hand for a total of $6,732.66. She reported spending $2,570 on room rentals, refreshments, postage, printing, stationery and other supplies, for an ending balance on April 18 of $4,153.63.
May reported spending $5,325.95 on his campaign for selectman, leaving him with a deficit of $1,100.95. He spent money on signs, bumper stickers, magnets, invitations, postage, room rentals, party supplies, postcards and campaign manager fees.
In his campaign for School Committee, Masse reported $1,360.91 in spending for signs, newspaper advertising and a fundraiser, leaving him with a balance of $2,039.09.
Kristen Henshaw, Sheeran’s opponent in the race hot Town Clerk, reported that she had not received any contributions, made any expenditures or incurred any obligations as of April 19.
Selectman Ann McGonigle Santos reported a previous balance of $1,438.47 in her campaign account but no new contributions or expenditures in her re-election campaign as of April 18.
Daniel Benjamin reported a previous balance of $381.43 in his campaign account but no new contributions or expenditures in his current bid for a seat on the Board of Selectmen.
School Committee candidate Gregory Liakos reported a previous campaign balance of $60.21, but no new funds raised or spent as of the latest filing deadline.
School Committee candidate Thomas Markham’s report said that he had not raised any new funds as of last week for his re-election campaign but had $2,657.45 left in his account from his last election campaign three years ago.
The Town Clerk’s Office said that campaign finance reports for selectmen candidates Anthony Longo and Phyllis Hull had not been received.
School Committee write-in candidate Gregory Powers did not file campaign finance reports by the April 19 deadline, nor did Walter Schofield who is running for Assessor as a write-in candidate. According to Town Clerk Rose Morgan, write-in candidates are required to file, even if no money was raised.
