In the June 10 municipal election, local candidates have collectively poured more than $20,000 into campaigns across five contested races, with newcomers outspending incumbents nearly 4-to-1.
Campaign finance reports filed with the Town Clerk’s Office reveal School Committee candidates led overall spending with $6,782.46, followed by town clerk hopefuls at $3,630.04 and Select Board candidates at $3,523.62. Nine of the 15 candidates have self-funded their campaigns entirely, receiving no outside donations.
School Committee contest
The candidates for School Committee raised and spent the most this election season, with newcomer Kate Schmeckpeper leading the pack. Most of the money was spent on campaign signs, mailers, websites and events.
According to campaign finance reports submitted May 23, Schmeckpeper raised $2,979.91 in donations, in addition to another $956.56 in in-kind donations. She spent $2,653.46 on campaign expenses.
Another newcomer, Henry Gwazda, raised $2,055 in donations and spent $1,825.69. He also loaned himself $1,500 for his campaign.
The remaining candidates did not raise any campaign donations. Challenger Emily DeJoy spent $1,906.55 in out-of-pocket expenses for her campaign. Incumbent Sarah Fox spent $396.76 in out-of-pocket expenses. Incumbent Alison Taylor raised no money this cycle and had $45 left over from her last campaign. She reports spending no money this cycle.
Board of Health
Two candidates are vying for one open seat on the Board of Health. Dr. Amanda Ritvo raised $384.28 in donations, along with $60 in in-kind donations. She had not spent any of that money but did spend $1,594.44 of her own money on campaign expenses.
Kim Crowley raised no money in donations and spent $1,469.53 of her own money.
Select Board
Select Board candidate Yael Magen raised $2,000 in donations and spent $1,516.81 of her own money on campaign expenses. Magen spent her money on shirts, campaign materials, signs, cards and an event. She has $1,516.81 in outstanding liabilities to cover campaign expenses.
Jim Zisson raised no money in donations and spent $2,006.81 of his own money on campaign expenses. He spent $764.15 on signs and $1,242.66 on mailers.
Town clerk
Town clerk candidate Theresa Tauro raised and spent the most among the three candidates in the race. Tauro raised $3,642.01 in donations and received $700 in in-kind donations. She spent $3,576.77 on campaign expenses, primarily on literature and lawn signs from Thriftco Printing. Tauro also loaned her campaign $617.01 to cover printing costs. Tauro works as office manager for the town of Marblehead.
Robin Michaud raised no money in donations and spent $53.27 of her own money on campaign expenses, purchasing sign stakes from Amazon.
Melissa Flanagan’s campaign finance information was not available.
Planning Board
Two candidates are running for Planning Board. Timothy Swigor raised no money in donations and spent $3,408 of his own money on campaign expenses. His largest expenditures were $1,555 for postcard mailing and $630 for lawn signs. He also spent $775 on postcard printing and $330 for a meet-and-greet event at The Beacon.
Edward Nilsson raised $250 in donations. Nilsson spent $552.50 on campaign expenses, primarily for signs from Concept Signs. He also spent $302.50 of his own money.
How and where to vote
Election Day is Tuesday, June 10. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
— Precincts 1 and 2: Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St.
— Precincts 3, 4, 5 and 6: Marblehead High School Field House, 2 Humphrey St.
