Dickert outraised Turner by $30,000 in mayoral election

John Dickert outraised state Rep. Bob Turner by $30,000 in the May 5 special mayoral election, according to campaign finance reports.

John Dickert's campaign contribution report | Bob Turner's campaign contribution report

Dickert raised $66,759 for the mayoral campaign, including $32,244.88 after winning Racine's 11-candidate mayoral primary on April 7.

Turner raised $36,678.26 for the election, including $26,349.26 after the primary.

Both candidates were required by law to file a campaign finance report with the city by July 20. The reports covered candidates' contributions and spending between March 24 and June 30. Dickert won the May 5 election 55-45 percent.

The records reveal Dickert had strong support among local business leaders, including the Johnson family, while state politicians and unions backed Turner.

Turner received $6,685 from state politicians and unions in the weeks leading up to the special election.

Turner received donations from state Reps. Mike Sheridan, Mark Pocan, Pedro Colon, Barbara Toles and Jon Richards. He was also backed by the Teamsters, IBEW and the Racine Education Association.

Dickert received maximum contributions (about $800) from W.H. Pugh, Alan Ruud, Craig Leopold, Helen Johnson-Leipold, Ken Buser (head of Wheaton-Franciscan All Saints) and Charles Johnson (head of the Racine Police and Fire Commission). Fisk Johnson contributed $750 to Dickert's campaign, and Curt Johnson gave $500.

Despite being outraised, Turner was able to draw on previous donations to outspend Dickert by about $2,000 between the primary and special elections. Turner spent $34,856.55 from March 25 to May 1, compared to $32,434.34 for Dickert.

But throughout the entire campaign (including the primary), Dickert outspent Turner by about $17,000. Dickert spent about $57,000 getting elected, compared to about $40,000 for Turner.

The candidates major expenses include:

* Turner paid Craig Oliver about $11,000 in consulting fees. After Oliver was dismissed from the campaign, Joshua Stephany was paid $1,200 in consulting fees.

* Dickert paid Greg Bach $1,000 in consulting fees and WZW Consulting $1,500.

* Dickert paid Mission Control, of Mansfield Center, Conn., about $17,000 to handle lit pieces and postage.

* Turner printed his brochures through Walgreens ($580), Office Depot ($96) and Accurate Printing, in Kenosha, ($5,084). He paid Diamond Laser, of Racine, $4,784 for mailing service.

Odds & Ends

* Only a few aldermen donated to the mayoral campaigns. Alderman Ray DeHahn donated $160 to Dickert and $60 to Turner. Alderman Jeff Coe donated $150 from his campaign fund to Dickert. Alderman Ron Hart gave Turner and Dickert each $100. Alderman Mike Shields gave Turner $25.

* Turner loaned his campaign $5,000 and Dickert loaned his $6,000. Dickert's loans are paid back. Turner's loan is outstanding, but he still has $7,166 in cash on hand to pay himself back.

* Dickert, who's up for re-election in 15 months, has $4,617 cash on hand. He raised $4,933 after the May 5 election.

John Dickert's campaign contribution report | Bob Turner's campaign contribution report