Candidates in Farmington Area Races Report Campaign Finances

Campaign fundraising reported for the Nov. 8 city council and school board races in Farmington and Farmington Hills stretches across a fairly wide range – from $475 to more than $7,000.

A check of the Oakland County on-line database shows committees for Farmington Hills city council candidates Randy Bruce and Ken Massey and challengers Richard Lerner and Erik Lindquist all filed the required reports. Lindquist's report was filed Nov. 3; the deadline was Oct. 29. His committee has been assessed a $75 late fee.

Challengers Seth Doyle III and Christopher Trotter both filed for reporting waivers, indicating they intended to raise and spend less than $1,000. William Huber did not form a campaign committee.

Of the four who filed, Massey has raised $7,403 (84 donors), which exceeds the total raised by the other three. Lindquist raised $1,665 (17 donors), Lerner, $2,090 (38 donors), and Bruce (16 donors), $2,291.

The vast majority of contributions for all candidates came from individual contributors. One of Massey's contributions, $150, came from a political action committee, WMI (Waste Management Incorporated) PAC of Michigan. The company has a 5-year contract with the city, which expires in 2013, to provide waste hauling, yard waste and recycling services. Lerner received $300 from the Ninth District Republican Committee. Lindquist received $500 from the Farmington Democratic Club.

The committee backing the only mayoral candidate in Farmington Hills, Barry Brickner, reported no funds have been raised for this race. The committee had a balance of more than $600 from previous elections.

In the Farmington School Board 6-year term race, the Oakland County database shows campaign statements have been received from committees for incumbent Karen Bolsen and Howard Wallach, challengers Irving Ginsberg and Angie Smith. Samuel Ramsey III filed for a reporting waiver.

Bolsen and Wallach easily outpaced the challengers in the 6-year race, raising $5,215 (30 donors) and $6,219 (61 donors), respectively. Ginsberg's committee reported $2,910 (11 donors) in contributions; Smith's, $475 (10 donors). With one exception, contributions in the race came from individuals or businesses. Ginsberg received a $300 contribution from the Ninth District Republican committee.

On Friday, Bolsen was contacted about $2,000 contribution, drawn on a joint checking account, which appeared to exceed the contribution limit of $1,000 per person that applies in large districts like Farmington. Election officials told Bolsen she is not in violation of campaign law, so long as she either returns $1,000 of the donation or obtains a note from the donor's wife indicating half the contribution came from her, within 30 days. Bolsen said today that she has returned the $1,000.

Both candidates for the 4-year term, Murray Kahn and David Sampson, filed reports. Sampson's committee raised $4,262 (21 donors) to Kahn's $2,618.50 (7 donors). With one exception, donations for both candidates came from individuals; Kahn received a $300 contribution from the Ninth District Republican committee.

The candidate for a partial term, George Gurrola, filed for a reporting waiver.

All Farmington city council candidates – Greg Cowley, Bill Galvin, Kevin Giannini, Kristin Kuiken, JoAnne McShane, Sean Murphy, Greg Sako and Jeffrey Taylor – filed for reporting waivers.