Wide gaps are forming in the packed fields of candidates running to replace the Adams County sheriff and to fill new seats on the county commissioner’s board.
Campaign finance reports filed earlier this week — the first due this year — showed gaps in both races, but also revealed more than one candidate may have violated a portion of campaign finance law.
Colorado law allows county candidates to receive contributions from individuals and limited-liability companies but not from corporations.
Sheriff candidate Norbert “Larry” Medina, who has raised $12,073 to date, filed a report showing contributions from various small businesses in Adams County. At least $4,270 appears to be from businesses registered as corporations, including Rocky’s Auto, La Chispa Nightclub and Denver Auto’s Inc.
Medina said Friday morning that his campaign mistakenly thought it was LLCs from which they could not take money. He said all the corporate money has been returned.
“We made a mistake, we’re owning up to it and we’ve since corrected it,” Medina said.
In the commissioner’s District 5 race, Mary Casso-Pollack’s filing also showed a contribution from Bobby Brown Bail Bonds, a registered corporation. The bonds company contributed $1,250 to the $14,821.74 she has raised.
Casso-Pollack said the note on the report was a mistake. She said the donation was provided by the business owner, from a personal check, and said she had a copy to prove it.
Andrew Cole, a spokesman for the secretary of state’s office, said the office does not monitor for those violations. If a complaint is filed, an administrative law judge would do a review.
Democrat Casso-Pollack faces four competitors for the District 5 seat, one of two seats being added to five members.
Casso-Pollack is in the lead in terms of money raised and spent. In comparison, her opponents have each raised less than half of her contributions. Janice Pawlowski, a former Brighton mayor, has raised $390; Wilma Rose has raised $4,055; and Thom Stanfield has raised $6,640.77. Robert Gaiser had not filed his contribution report as of Wednesday afternoon.
In the race for the new District 4 seat, Steven O’Dorisio has raised $39,900.99, which is nearly eight times as much as Joseph Domenico, who raised $5,894.10.
Commissioner Erik Hansen is also up for re-election this year, and he has raised $25,834.99. Manuel Solano, husband of former state Rep. Judy Solano, is challenging Hansen and has raised $8,217.
In the race for the Adams County Sheriff, Mike McIntosh, a division commander in the department and current Sheriff Doug Darr’s pick to take over, has raised the most with $35,022.92.
Campaign contributions for sheriff
Mike McIntosh
Contributions to date: $35,022.92
Largest contribution: Cheryl Spottke, records section manager for Adams County Sheriff’s office, $4,890
Other notable contributions: John Cooke, Weld County Sheriff, $100; David Hayes, Louisville Police Chief, $100; Todd Helton, $100
Norbert Medina
Contributions to date: $12,073
Largest contribution: Denver’s Autos Inc. at least $1,800
Other notable contributions: Judith A. Solano, $50; The Player’s Club, $500; Softball Country, $750
Mark Nicastle
Contributions to date: $10,081.78
Largest contribution: Donald Sisson, $2,500
Richard Reigenborn
Contributions to date: $6,035
Largest contribution: Reid Elkus, $2,500
Campaign Contributions for commissioner seats
Erik Hansen
Contributions to date: $25,834.99
Largest Contribution: George Eidsness, President of Transwest, $2,500
Other notable contributions: George Hanlon, CEO of Equinox Land Group, $1,500; Metro Housing Coalition, $1,500; Comcast Corporation and NBC Universal Political Action Committee, $250
Mauel Solano
Contributions to date: $8,217
Largest Contribution: Ken Ciancio, $1,152
Other notable contributions: Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 58 small donor committee, $500; Stan Garnett, Boulder district attorney, $100
Joseph Domenico
Contributions to date: $5,894.10
Largest contribution: Jennifer B. Schmid, manager of Miller/Coors, $1,000
Other notable contributions: Alice Nichol, $250; Erik Hansen, $50
Steven O’Dorisio
Contributions to date: $39,900.99
Largest contribution: Norma Frank, CEO of Colorado Lighting, $1,425
Other notable contributions: Pabon Leadership Fund, $500; Larry Pace, $300; Jared Polis, $200
Mary Casso-Pollack
Contributions to date: $14,821.74
Largest contribution: Mike Donavan, from Fairfax, Va., $3,100
Other notable contributions: Bobby Brown Bail Bonds, $1,250; Richard Reigenborn, $100
Robert Gaiser
No report filed
Janice Pawlowski
Contributions to date: $390
Largest contribution: Tamara Seaver, $200
Wilma Rose
Contributions to date: $4,055
Largest contribution: Charles Elliston, $825
Other notable contributions: Stan Garnett, $100
Thom Stanfield
Contributions to date: $6,640.77
Largest contribution: Colorado State Conference of Electrical Workers Small Donor Committee, $1,000
