Contested council seats dominate election spending in Summit County

Of all Summit County local candidates, it is Megan McKenna And Ari Ioannides increased and spent the most competing for council seat C.

McKenna, a housing advocate with Democrats and the Mountainland Community Housing Trust, has raised $34,199.94 from 141 donors.

Ioannides, a Republican and board member of the North Summit Fire and Park City Institute, raised $23,744.71 from 48 donors.

These figures include the candidates’ own personal contributions. McKenna used $339.46 of her own money — the price she had to pay to run for city council — and Ioannides donated $13,019.71 to his campaign.

McKenna had three more in-kind donations, which she valued at $4,167.43. In his dossier prior to the elections, Ioannides made no distinction between monetary donations and in-kind donations.

Both candidates received funding from their respective local political parties. The Summit County Democratic Party gave its candidate $5,000, and the Summit County GOP donated $1,000.

McKenna also received $2,000 from the Political Action Committee of Communication Workers of America. Most ski industry unions are affiliated with the CWA, including Park City Mountain. The Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association has publicly endorsed McKenna for Seat C.

Another major organization, the Park City Board of Realtors, gave both parties $1,000.

Most of the money from seat C candidates went to advertising. Ioannides has spent all the money he has received so far.

McKenna has about $5,000 left in the bank. If she doesn’t spend the money before Tuesday’s election, she won’t be allowed to pocket it. She can save it for another campaign in the future or donate it to another campaign.

Only one council campaign was donated to another: Hoytsville entrepreneur and Republican Tory Welchrunning for seat A, gave Ioannides $50.

Welch wants to dethrone the twelve-year incumbent Democrat Roger Armstrong. He spent $4,638.89 on this, of which $1,275.01 was his own money.

The Welch campaign has a positive balance of about $500. He also received $1,000 from the Park City Board of Realtors.

Armstrong did not raise any money. The only money he spent was filing fees.

Fellow Democratic incumbent Tonja Hansonwho is unopposed for Seat B, has raised and spent $640.86. Half had to be done on demand, the other half on a website and flyers.

Democrats are also running unopposed for Summit County government on the ballot. The only cost to County Sheriff Frank Smith and treasurer Corrie Forsling were their filing costs.

Assessor Stephanie Poll spent a few hundred dollars on tables and candy for her re-election bid.

County recorder hopeful Greg Wolbach spent about $400 on a website and email domain.

Candidates will be required to re-file a financial disclosure statement after the November 5 general election.

Click here to view the financial reports of all candidates in the Summit County elections.