Crowell rakes in $44K for mayoral race

Bob Crowell was far and away the biggest fundraiser among Carson City's mayoral candidates.

Counting non-monetary gifts - he raked in $44,773 as of the close of the first contribution and expense reporting period Tuesday.

After Crowell, a longtime Carson City lawyer and school board member, the next biggest report of contributions was by Sean Lehmann at $2,750. And $1,700 of that came from his own bank account.

Steve McClung raised $622.44 - all from his company, Alpine Lock - while Jim Shirk reported $367. Pete Hansell and former mayoral and supervisor candidate Adam Baker reported no contributions for the period.

As of the 5 p.m. Tuesday deadline, the Carson City clerk's office had not received a report from Ken Haskins. But if he put it in certified mail, postmarked Tuesday, it will be considered on time when it reaches the clerk's office.

Crowell's contributions came from a wide variety of western Nevada's most prominent businesses, ranging from casinos to developers and law firms. Among the more prominent names on his list are former governor and Senator Richard Bryan, former Carson School Superintendent Mary Pierczynski and former District Judge Mike Fondi.

Most of the major statewide candidates filing with the secretary of state's office routinely put their reports in certified mail rather than delivering them in person.

One exception this year is Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell, D-Carson City, who filed a report showing $72,059 in contributions and $29,725 in expenses. Reports from her opponents, Republican Cheryl Lau and Independent American candidate John Wagner, had not been listed on line by the secretary of state as of the close of business Tuesday.

Parnell is seeking a fifth two-year term representing District 40, which represents most of Carson City.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Gibbons also filed his report. He raised $314,415.

In Supervisor District 2, Incumbent Shelly Aldean raised a total of $5,499 and spent $1,077. Her opponent Dennis Johnson contributed $2,099.86 to his own campaign and spent $1,471.

In Supervisor District 4, Incumbent Richard Staub was the only candidate whose report didn't reach the clerk's office Tuesday.

Paul McGrath, a former Carson City Sheriff, put $811 into his campaign and reported spending $910.

Molly Walt reported $900 in contributions and expenses of $3,788. Her report didn't explain the disparity.

Jean Bondiett reported no contributions but $220 in expenses. Again, no explanation was given for the disparity.

Andy Salm reported $250 in contributions and expenses of $185.

In the school board District 2 race, Jim Lemaire's report was not on file Tuesday.

In Carson City School District 5, Steve Reynolds reported $50 in contributions and $40 in expenses. Kim Donner's report was not on file and John McKenna withdrew after his candidacy was challenged on grounds he was term limited from running again.

McKenna, however, filed a report showing zero contributions because, under Nevada law, all three contribution and expense reports are required even if a candidate withdraws.

In District 7, Ed Skudlarek reported $98.84 in contributions and the same in expenses while Joanna Wilson reported zero in both columns, though a $30 filing fee is supposed to be reported as an expense.

Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.