PARKERSBURG - In the 2012 race for Wood County Sheriff, incumbent Democrat Jeff Sandy has spent almost $10,000 more than his Republican challenger and former sheriff, Ken Merritt.
In 2008 Sandy defeated Merritt who was running for his fourth term.
Sandy filed his latest campaign finance report on Sept. 26 and Merritt filed his on Sept. 27.
According to the report, between June 19 and Sept. 27, Merritt had one contributor giving more than $250, Gary and Sharon Summerville, who contributed $540 to his campaign.
In the same time period Sandy had one contributor giving $300, Ted Gartens, and four giving $500. They were Paul Astorg, Lewis and Amy Gonzales, Dan Marshall and Sharon Huggins.
Sandy loaned his campaign $2,089.26 and Merritt reported no loans to his campaign. Sandy also reported $3,782.75 in in-kind contributions
On June 26, Merritt's campaign hosted a fundraising dinner at the Mountaineer Family Restaurant that raised $2,325.50, including the $540 contribution. Sandy's campaign reported no fund-raising events.
Merritt reported a cash balance of $1,129.11 as of Sept. 26 and Sandy reported a cash balance of $13,203.92.
Merritt reported total spending of $2,958.78 and Sandy has spent $12,217.61 since the start of the campaign. The bulk of Sandy's spending was made after June 19. Up to that date he spent $2,967.53 compared to Merritt's $2,342.52.
