Campaign finance reports filed for Marshall County Sheriff candidates

As the election season gets underway, candidates and campaign committees are required to file campaign finance documents.

The first report was due January 21.

Candidates for statewide and state legislative offices, along with PACs or party committees supporting them, must file all campaign finance documents with the Indiana Election Division. Candidates for judicial offices or prosecuting attorneys, and committees supporting them, file with their county election board. Candidates for local office and their supporting committees also file with the county election board. Candidates for party offices, such as precinct committeeman or state convention delegate, are not required to open campaign finance committees.

GIANT fm/WTCA reviewed the campaign finance reports for the two Republican candidates running for Marshall County Sheriff, which are available online through the Marshall County Document Center.

The McFarland for Sheriff report shows Les McFarland started the reporting period with zero funds but itemized $24,550 in contributions and receipts. The largest portion, $24,100, came from McFarland himself, with the remaining $450 from three Plymouth residents.

Expenditures totaled $21,477.27. The McFarland for Sheriff campaign spent $18,123.13 with Big Idea Company for marketing, social media, business cards, shirts, magnets, door hangers, and a website. Additional expenses included bank fees for checks, $607.81 for candy for parades and Halloween, and $125 in newspaper advertising. McFarland also made charitable donations of $500 to Relay for Life and $300 to We Love Swimming.

McFarland for Sheriff ended the reporting period with $3,072.73 in the account.

The Jeff Snyder for Marshall County Sheriff campaign finance report shows he also began the reporting period with zero funds. Snyder's itemized contributions and receipts totaled $1,316.28, with $1,034.89 coming from his personal funds.

Snyder for Sheriff received in-kind donations, including $81.32 for polo shirts, $101.65 for golf tees, and $98.43 from his wife for business cards.

Campaign expenditures included bank fees for opening an account and obtaining checks, plus golf outing sponsorships: $150 for the Plymouth Fire Department, $200 for Dustin's Place, $60 for FOP 130, and $100 for the Marshall County GOP outing.

Other campaign expenses included $474.89 for t-shirts and $200 in printing services from Impact Online Printing.

Jeff Snyder for Marshall County Sheriff ended the reporting period with $21.55.

Both campaigns are required to file additional reports throughout the election cycle.