HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Though the election for city council in Hutchinson is nonpartisan, if you follow the campaign contributions to the various candidates by current and former elected officials, you can divine, to a point, where some of the candidates are seen to sit politically, at least among the Republican side.
According to contribution forms provided to Hutch Post that were filed October 25th with the stamp of Reno County Clerk Donna Patton affixed, some legislative officials and former officials and their spouses have opened their checkbooks in this race.
Republican State Representative Paul Waggoner and State Senator Mark Steffen both contributed to the campaign of SW District candidate Brock Wells. Wells bought ads on the radio with Eagle Communications and on Hutch Post.
SW District candidate Greg Fast was contributed to by County Commissioner Ron Sellers and former State Senator Ed Berger and his wife, Carol, along with former state senator Dave Kerr. Fast also purchased ads from Eagle.
NW District candidate Jon Richardson was contributed to by Commissioner Sellers and Carol and Ed Berger, along with current council member Jon Daveline, former council member David Inskeep and former State Senator Dave Kerr. He also advertised with Eagle Radio.
At-Large Candidate Marla Jean Booher received contributions from Inskeep, Daveline, Sellers, and Carol Berger. She also advertised both on Eagle Radio and Hutch Post.
At-Large Incumbent Sara Bagwell recieved contributions from Rep. Waggoner, along with Sen. Steffen's wife, Deanna. She also advertised on Eagle Radio and Hutch Post.
Though NW Candidate Jill Gumble had contributions from over 20 different people, no names of elected officials appeared on her form. She did buy ads from Eagle Radio.
At-Large Candidate Charles Johnston had just three campaign contributors. None are sitting officials.
The general election for Hutchinson City Council is Tuesday.