First-time candidate Christine Poulson was the top fundraiser and spender in the two races for Staunton School Board in the May 1 election, according to preliminary campaign finance reports.
The reports, which cover Jan. 1 through April 18, break down donations and loans to campaigns and campaign spending for six of the seven candidates. The seventh, incumbent Ron Ramsey, didn't spend or raise the $1,000 threshold to file a report, but he also lost by just two votes.
Poulson's $3,555 in income and $3,133 in spending led the pack. She won one of three seats sought by five candidates. She also outspent both of the candidates in the other race, a special election for a two-year term.
The next best funded candidate was Gene R. Ergenbright, who ran a campaign largely focused on returning Weekday Religious Education to the schools and opposing the changing of the name of Robert E. Lee High School. He funded his campaign, which took in $2,858, largely with loans to himself and spent $1,858 through the reporting periods. He finished last in the five-person race for three seats.
Below are their campaign finance reports filed so far this year. The formats vary slightly depending on whether they filed electronically with the state or submitted paper forms through the local registrar's office. Reports covering the final weeks of the election are not due until June.