Is there is a correlation between what a candidate spends on their election campaign and the number of votes they receive?Looking at the financial disclosures for Salmon Arm’s mayoralty race in the 2011 election, this might appear to be the case, though Mayor Nancy Cooper doesn’t believe it is.“I honestly don’t know whether that’s true,” says Cooper. “All I know is that for myself, I was trying to make sure I covered all the bases.”Cooper’s election expenses totalled almost $7,649, the most of all mayoral and council candidates. Her opponents, Kevin Flynn and Ron Telfer, spent $3,987 and $781, respectively. The end result saw Cooper win with 2,745 votes, followed by Flynn with 2,214 and Telfer with 149. Within 120 days after general voting day, candidates are required to file election campaign financial disclosure statements detailing how much was spent and who contributed what.Cooper  received $1,700 in campaign contributions, $1,500 of which was in the form of contributions of $100 or more. Of these, $1,400 came from union and labour organizations in amounts ranging from $100 to $700. Another $150 was contributed anonymously. Flynn received $2,610 in contributions, $2,100 of which represents contributions of $100 or more. These came from a mix of individuals and corporations, in amounts ranging from $100 to $500. Anonymous donations amounted to $510, while 22 sources made contributions of $99 or less.Telfer received no campaign contributions.When looking at the expenses for council candidates, the dollars-to-votes theory quickly goes out the window. Unsuccessful candidate Lynne Hawrys spent $3,692 on her campaign, the most of all council contenders. Hawrys came in 11th place out of 18 candidates with 1,455 votes. Next was Tim Lavery, who spent $3,230 and came in eighth with 1,732 votes. Next was Warren Bell, who spent $2,785 and came seventh with 1,794. All three paid for the majority of their own expenses. Of the elected council candidates, Denise Reimer had the highest campaign costs at $2,243, followed by Marg Kentel at $1,326, Chad Eliason at $1,001, Ken Jamieson at $915 and Alan Harrison at $243. Out-thrifting the thrifty Harrison was Coun. Debbie Cannon, who spent nothing at all. Other candidate expenses were as follows: Glen Hill, $1,557; Ivan Idzan, $294; Jim Kimmerly, $923; John Lund, $652; Louise Wallace Richmond, $500; Skyler Plourde, $419; Tom Sakamoto, $1,493; and Thomas Welsh, $1,088. Expenses for School District #83 school board candidates were also released. Marcel Bedard spent $2,792 on his unsuccessful bid, while re-elected candidates Bobbi Johnson spent $423 and Michel Saab spent nothing.

Salmon Arm Observer