01182012 - News Article - Velazquez outspent Snyder in failed mayoral re-election bid

Velazquez outspent Snyder in failed mayoral re-election bid
NWI Times
Jan 18, 2012
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/duneland/velazquez-outspent-snyder-in-failed-mayoral-re-election-bid/article_f7d64b76-ddf9-5aa4-b521-750539bdbce9.html
VALPARAISO | Democrat Olga Velazquez outspent Republican opponent James Snyder in her unsuccessful bid last year to hold on to the mayor's office in Portage.

Velazquez spent $188,776 during the year as compared with Snyder's $119,034, according to annual campaign finance forms that were to be filed with the county by noon Wednesday and Snyder.

Snyder's campaign committee is in the hole $27,400 for office expenses.

Velazquez reportedly raised $9,211 of her funds during the final month leading up the election. Snyder raised $39,720 during the same period. Both of the candidates raked in more than $100,000.

The largest share of Snyder's contributions during the last month of the campaign came from various political action committees, including $4,400 from the Crossroads PAC in Schererville, for a total of $13,293 for the year.

Crossroads PAC is described on its Facebook page as, "Concerned citizens who want to be active and involved in promoting conservative values."

Snyder took in $3,500 during the final month from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 in Countryside, Ill.; $3,000 from Indiana Realtors Political Action Committee; $2,000 from the Portage Firefighters Local 3151 and $500 from Conservatives Organized to Advance Tomorrow's Solutions of Indianapolis.

The next largest group to contribute to the final leg of Snyder's campaign were individuals at $11,620, followed by $7,500 from various corporations and $7,200 from other organizations, including $2,500 from the Indiana State Republican Party, $1,200 from Porter County Republicans and $1,000 each from Friends of Ed Soliday Committee and (Ed) Charbonneau for Senate.

Velazquez took in the largest share of her money, or $4,470, in the final month of the campaign from various political action committees. Leading the way was $1,500 from the Ironworkers 395 for a total of $4,800 for the year, $1,000 from Jonathan Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee in Evansville and $800 from Boilermakers Local 374 in Hammond.

She also received $2,200 from individuals, $766 from other organizations and $570 from corporations.