by BRAD ROLLINS
Mayor Lucy Johnson vastly outraised not only her opponent but all candidates for all three city of Kyle races on next Saturday’s ballot, according to the most recent campaign finance disclosures filed with the city secretary.
A full accounting is not possible, however, because Ron Sherman, a candidate for the District 4 city council seat, did not disclose his donors and expenditures as he is required to do by law. Asked about the missing filing on Tuesday, Sherman said he thought his campaign treasurer, Annette Pickett, council member Brad Pickett’s wife, had taken care of complying with disclosure law.
Early voting in the May 14 election started Monday and will run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, May 9; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10.
Johnson, who was elected last year in a special election and is seeking a full three-year term, raised $12,043 this year, most of it at her re-election announcement event in January and a fundraiser in March.
Johnson’s largest donors include Lucy J. Hadas of Seattle, Wash. ($2,000); Burdine Johnson and Christopher Venghiattis of Houston ($2,500); Lila Knight of Kyle ($500); John and Keni Neff of Austin ($500); Michael Schroeder of Austin ($500); and Tom Grimes and Joanne Greif of San Marcos ($500). The mayor also raised $1,016 in increments of less than $50, which are not required to be itemized. Her father, Bill Johnson, gave $2,517 in in-kind contributions for expenses related to a campaign event.
During the same period, the mayor spent $12,792, the largest chunk of which was $3,500 monthly payments to campaign manager Mark LeMense and $1,571 to an Internet-based company for campaign yard signs. Johnson had $940.32 in the bank as of April 4, according to the report.
Johnson’s opponent, Graham Mendel, raised $443.13 and spent $99.86. His largest contributers include John Page of Kyle ($200); Marsden and Georgena Kelly of Georgetown ($100); and Jean Putnam of Kyle ($100).
Council member David Wilson raised $1,270 and spent $604.55. His largest contributions came from Michael Schroeder of Austin ($300), Robert Bayous of Kyle ($150), Lila Knight of Kyle ($150); Jeff Barton of Buda ($100) and Susie Ferrell of Kyle ($100). Wilson also donated $200 to his own campaign.
In the District 2 race, incumbent Becky Selbera raised $760 and spent $587. Her largest contributors include Michael Schroeder of Austin ($300); David Mahn and Linda Campbell ($250); Isreal James ($100); and Bob and Tutta Barton of Kyle ($100).
Selbera’s challenger, Jean Putnam, showed $0 in contributions and $417 in expenditures, most of it for yard signs.
