Republican candidate and incumbent 3rd District Douglas County Commissioner Jere McElhaney has relied on smaller contributions from more people while his opponent, independent Marguerite Ermeling, has relied on fewer people giving large contributions, according to campaign finance disclosures.

McElhaney won the money war. He raised $17,050 during the July 23 to Oct. 21 time period, almost double Ermeling total of $8,908.

McElhaney spent $9,145 between July 23 and last week and had $9,264 available to spend in the final week of the campaign, according to a report filed Monday with the Douglas County Clerk’s Office.

Ermeling spent $5,833 during the same time period and has $3,259 available to spend.

McElhaney’s largest contributions were two for $500 each. Those came from farmer and rancher Don Hazlett and builder and Realtor Kelly and Cheri Drake.

He also received $350 from Westwood LLC, a landscape designer in Baldwin, and $300 each from Innovative Pharmaceutical Services Inc., in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Gary Bartz, owner of Don’s Steak House.

McElhaney reported 163 contributions of $100 or less. Of those, 85 were contributions of $100.

While Ermeling received fewer contributions, nine of her 26 contributions were for $500. Those came from Lecompton business owner Lynn Chance, who gave the same amount twice; Lecompton business owner John Haase, who gave the same amount twice; Lecompton resident Hub Hall; Lecompton resident Kathleen Hull; corporate executive Larry Kipp; investor Liz Kipp; and professor and corporate executive Cynthia and James Haines.

Ermeling also received 12 contributions of $100. She had just one itemized contribution that was less than $100. Additionally, she had $2,333 unitemized contributions that were $50 or less.

Jere McElhaney Expense Reports Maguerite Ermeling Expense Reports