Where's the spending going?

DISTRICT 6 — Running a political campaign isn’t free, but some running for office tend to spend more than others.

Last week, the Cheney Free Press reported on campaign contributions for the four candidates running for the House of Representatives: Incumbent Mike Volz and challenger Zack Zappone for Position 1, and incumbent Jenny Graham and challenger Tom McGarry for Position 2.

After press time last week, the PDC reported a $75,000-each contribution to the campaigns of Zappone and McGarry from the House Democratic Campaign Committee. Zappone ($132,047.34) now leads Volz ($63,000) in contributions, while McGarry ($133,171.59) paces Graham ($69,100.36).

Following is a breakdown of how much each candidate has spent on their respective campaigns, and to where their money is going. The expenditures totals come as of Oct. 5, 2020.

Mike Volz

Volz has reported spending of $23,882.36, according to the PDC.

His top expenditure was to Walt’s Mailing for postage, totaling $3,805.93. He also spent $2,655.77 in printing from the Spokane Valley service.

Volz also spent money on media advertisements. The top expense was to KISC for #3,142. He also bought ads with KXLY ($2,030), OTT ($1,500), and two with KQNT/KIX ($2,034 and $1,541).

The next largest expenditure for Volz’s campaign was a campaign laptop ($871.19).

Zack Zappone

The PDC has reported only $12,376.99 in spending from Zappone’s campaign, despite his considerable lead in donations.

His top expenditure, for 500 yard signs, was to Preferred Labor Sign of Spokane for $2,336.19. He also spent $1,300 for digital ads to NWP Consulting.

Other top expenditures by the Zappone campaign include spending $1,000 to Alex Leia for graphic design and digital marketing services and $1,000 to Leadership for Educational Equity for “prepayment for service.”

Jenny Graham

Graham’s campaign has been the top spender among District 6’s four candidates, with the PDC reporting expenditures of $39,127.61.

Minnick Group was the recipient of many of the top expenditures, with the campaign making four separate transactions to the campaign consulting company over $3,500: A digital media ad for $6,000, two print media expenditures for $5,753 and $4,800 and postage and mail prep for $3,749.39.

The campaign also utilized Presscats Inc., spending $1,493.25 for 25 large signs, $614.50 for 40 campaign signs, $460 for 100 yard signs, $217.67 on printing sales tax and $119.50 for 1,000 business cards.

Tom McGarry

McGarry has been outspent by Graham, but not by much. The PDC reported expenditures of $37,385.55 from the McGarry campaign.

The top payment from the campaign was to Cerrilion N4 Partners for consulting on 20,000 pieces of direct mail, totaling $6,800. The political consulting company was also paid $2,500 for campaign consultancy during the primary election and an additional $2,500 on retainer.

Postage for 20,000 pieces of mail totaled $4,800. Lawton Printing was paid $2,133.35 for printing 1,000 stationary and 250 postcards, and Capital City Press was paid $1,170.68 for 100 lawn signs.

Washington State Democrats were paid $1,439.21 for a VoteBuilder database, and Schuler Creative Lab was paid $1,019.20 for website design, hosting and artwork.

Those interested in tracking all District 6 House of Representatives expenditures can visit the PDC website.

Drew Lawson can be reached at [email protected].