Expenses reported for 49th District race
Among the eight candidates seeking nominations in the 49th Legislative District exists a wide disparity in campaign expense reports.
In the Republican race, Melanie Patterson has outspent Donald “Bud” Cook by a 5-1 margin. Cook has spent $813.69 of his own money, receiving no campaign contributions. His money went to the Postal Service, gas, hotel expenses and supplies at Staples.
Patterson and her campaign committee have spent $4,289.79, including $680 contributed by Patterson. The campaign has also received $9,272 of in-kind contributions. An additional $6,000 in radio commercials supporting Patterson were purchased by the Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania (CAP) independent of Patterson’s campaign, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. CAP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to limited government and personal responsibility, according to its website.
Patterson’s campaign has received $1,500 from the Pennsylvania Realtors Political Action Committee. By far Patterson’s biggest supporter has been her husband, Robert Patterson, who has provided in-kind contributions of $8,208 for yard signs, catering and direct-mail materials.
Of the six Democratic candidates, attorney Alan Benyak showed the highest expenditures with a total of $49,133 between his own spending and that of his campaign committee. Donn Henderson was second in the spending category, with $8,152, followed by Brendan Garay who spent $2,412 and Robert Kepics, who spent $1,302. Randy Barli raised and spent less than $250 and was not required to file a detailed report. He listed a zero balance.
Mark Alterici also filed a report saying he didn’t raise or spending more than than $250 for the reporting period. According to the report, Alterici ended the period with a balance of $1,323 and debts of $883. No other details were available.
Benyak was his own largest contributor, fronting at least $16,750 to his campaign. He received a $1,000 contribution from the Western Pennsylvania Laborers Political Action Committee (PAC) and $250 from the Service Employees International Union. Benyak also received several large contributions from individuals early in his campaign, including donations of $2,500 and $3,000 from Larry M. Celeschi of Charleroi and $1,200 from Lorraine Vitchoff of California.
The report for Donn Henderson for for State Representative was available, while Henderson reported less than $250 in receipts or expenses personally, with a zero balance. The state website indicated the report had been filed three days after the April 15 filing deadline, and Henderson had paid a $20 late fee.
Henderson’s committee report showed $11,400 raised, with $500 coming from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades action committee and $500 from Sheetz PAC. Henderson put up $8,200 of his own money for the race. Henderson’s largest expenditure was $6,000 to MGT Consulting of Monessen.
Garay’s contributions came from a number of individuals for relatively small amounts. He was his own largest contributor at $500. He also received $625 of in-kind contributions, including donations for several kegs of beer for a political fundraiser. His largest expenditures were $450 to Ampersand Consulting of Pittsburgh and $389 for yard signs.
Kepics received just three contributions for his $1,600 total, including $1,000 from Elizabeth Equipment Services Inc. in Elizabeth. His largest expense was for yard signs costing $776.98.
The district includes portions of Washington and Fayette counties from the Mon Valley to Marianna. The seat has been held for more than 30 years by state Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-California, who is not seeking re-election.