This year’s race for the Select Board is turning into an expensive one, with incumbent Charlie Bletzer receiving more in contributions than any of the other four candidates, according to required finance filings.
The election ends Saturday, May 17, but early in-person voting began last week and continues until Wednesday, May 14. Mail-ballots are also being accepted.
Bletzer is running for one of two seats up for grabs on the five-member board. Both are for three-year terms. He faces fellow incumbent John Mahoney and challengers Deb Iaquinto, Bill Keohan, and Scott Vecchi.
Between Jan. 1and April 29, Bletzer spent $22,515, according to campaign finance reports. Iaquinto spent $15,280, Vecchi doled out $13,318, and Keohan paid $10,486. Mahoney trailed far behind, spending a mere $528.
Bletzer reported raking in $20,950 from 117 contributions ranging in size from $25 to two for $1,000 each from retired developer Tom Wallace, one of the original proponents of the Pinehills development, and Sullivan Tire owner Paul Sullivan. The average contribution was $179. In addition to spending the most money, Bletzer attracted the most out-of-town contributors: 34.
Two candidates, Iaquinto and Vecchi, are essentially funding their own campaigns.
Iaquinto reported raising more money than Bletzer, $22,575, but $16,600 of it came in the form of contributions she made to her campaign. Iaquinto received 14 contributions from other people, ranging from $200 to $1,000. Not counting her own contributions, the average donation was $426. Only one of her contributors was from out of town.
Vecchi reported raising $15,050, but, like Iaquinto, most of that was self-financed. Vecchi gave his campaign $3,500 and lent it another $10,000. The remaining 10 contributions ranged in size from $25 to $500. Not counting Vecchi’s own contributions, the average donation was $155. Half of his contributions, five, were from out of town.
Keohan had the greatest number of individual contributors: 133. He reported raising $13,800 and receiving another $6,925 in in-kind contributions, such as social media management and videography. The monetary contributions ranged in size from $20 to $500. The average contribution was $103, with 15 contributors living outside Plymouth.
Mahoney reported raising $5,500 from 35 contributors. The contributions range in size from $25 to $500. The average contribution was $157. Three individual contributors live outside Plymouth. Mahoney also received contributions from union locals, including the International Union of Elevators Contractors, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Carpenters, the Roofers, the United Food and Commercial Workers.
Lawn signs and mailed campaign materials ate up most of the money for four of the candidates. Bletzer spent $15,870 on three mailers and $5,149 on lawn signs. Iaquinto spent $9,159 on two post cards and $3,257 on signs. Keohan spent $2,685 on lawn signs and $5,116 on mailings. Mahoney spent $383 on signs and $146 on stamps.
Vecchi tried a different strategy. He spent $3,500 on a cable television commercial.
For profiles of the five candidates for Select Board, go here. For more information about voting, go here.
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org.