Who's Spent What? City Commission Candidates File Campaign Finance Reports

The Nov. 5 election is nearly here and candidates' finance reports are in. Some of the four Royal Oak City Commission hopefuls are reaching into their own pockets to fund their campaigns, although some much more than others, the reports show.

According to candidates' statements filed with the state last week, the top money-raiser was Jeremy Mahrle at $10,950. Diane Hargan netted the least amount of the four candidates, reporting she did not accept any donations. Hargan's finance reports indicate she spent $1,849 of her own money on gas, stamps, signs, envelopes, paper, ink and labels.

Oct. 25 was the deadline for candidates to file their Pre-Election Statements with the Secretary of State office. The statements show Mahrle and Sharlan Douglas started fundraising in May, David Poulton didn't begin his fundraising efforts until September.

Candidates' reports

Following is a summary of each of the candidates' reports. Click on each candidate's name to read their answers to questions asked by Patch readers:

Sharlan Douglas

• Raised: $8,320
• In-kind contributions: $200 (food)
• Spent: $4,274
• Balance: $4,046
• Amount contributed by Douglas: $125
• Read Douglas' report

Diane Hargan

• Raised: $0
• In-kind contributions: $1,849 (gas, stamps, signs, envelopes, paper, ink and labels)
• Spent: $1,849
• Balance: $0
• Amount contributed by Hargan: $1,849
• Read Hargan's report

• Raised: $10,950
• In-kind contributions: $0
• Spent: $6,090
• Balance: $4,859
• Amount contributed by Mahrle: $705
• Read Mahrle's report

• Raised: $7,550
• In-kind contributions: $0
• Spent: $2,472
• Balance: $5.104
• Amount contributed by Poulton: $0
• Read Poulton's report