Countywide candidates file campaign finance reports
The candidates for countywide offices in Fayette County have filed 30-day post primary campaign finance reports, with the majority of them owing money to themselves.
Democrat Al Ambrosini of Connellsville, a political newcomer who was the top vote-getter in the May 17 municipal primary and received one of two Democratic nominations for Fayette County commissioner, loaned himself $20,000, according to his campaign finance reports.
Ambrosini spent a total of $25,681 in the reporting period, which included May 3 through June 6. The expenses included advertising costs for WLSW radio for $2,000; Mail Specialty Inc. of Greensburg for mail services in the amount of $3,050; and HeraldStandard.com ads for $1,927.
Ambrosini also paid poll workers amounts ranging from $25 to $75 each.
Commissioner Vincent Zapotosky of Uniontown, who also garnered the second Democratic nomination, did not file a report with his committee as of Friday afternoon and had only filed a report in which he paid his campaign $300.
Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites of South Union Township, who finished third and did not secure a Democratic nomination, spent $24,905 during the reporting period. He also listed unpaid debts and obligations of $14,728, which he owes to himself.
Vicites, who is finishing his fourth term in office, listed contributions of $12,224, but a detailed listing was not available.
Republican incumbent Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink of Allison, who was the top vote-getter for her party, listed expenditures of $2,134. Zimmerlink does not accept campaign contributions. She spent money on a radio advertisement and a $2,054 mailer.
Dave Lohr of South Connellsville, who won the second Republican party nomination, spent $1,557 during the reporting period and ended with unpaid debts and obligations of $1,090, which he owes to himself. He received
Lohr received a $250 campaign contribution from Connellsville attorney Mark A. Rowan.
Marilyn Cellurale of Lemont Furnace, who finished third on the Republican ticket and did not win a nomination for county commissioner, spent $2,999 during the reporting period, and received $9,500 in contributions.
Cellurale’s contributions came in the form of $7,500 from Terry “Tuffy” Shallenberger of Connellsville, chairman of the Fayette County Airport Authority, and $2,000 in the form of a donation from James. F. and Marilyn Cellurale Jr.
The position will pay $49,409 in 2012. The chairman of the commissioners receives an extra $1,000 annually.
For the office of district attorney, acting District Attorney Jack R. Heneks Jr. of Uniontown spent $26,422 during the reporting period. He also listed unpaid debts and obligations of $41,250, $25,000 of which he owes to himself.
Heneks received the Democratic nomination over attorney John Cupp of Uniontown.
Cupp, who successfully petitioned the court and will be on the ballot as the Republican candidate in November, received $5,840 and spent the same amount, for an ending balance of zero.
Cupp contributed $5,755 to himself in May and $85 to himself in June.
In addition to newspaper and radio advertisements, Cupp paid six poll workers between $50 and $75 each.
The job pays $163,602 annually.
In the race for Fayette County sheriff, incumbent Gary D. Brownfield spent $1,423 and listed unpaid debts and obligations of $1,176.
Brownfield, who overwhelmingly won the Democratic nomination for the position, received a $100 donation from Fabian Forte of Connellsville.
Robert “Ted” Pritchard Sr. of Fairchance, listed contributions to himself in the amount of $981, but did not list any expenditures. He listed unpaid debts and obligations of $245.