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LISBON -- In the race for Columbiana County Common Pleas Court judge, the challenger has outspent the incumbent by a margin of nearly 5-1, according to pre-election campaign finance reports filed this week with the county elections board.
The filing deadline was Wednesday, and Megan Bickerton reported spending $26,184 compared to $5,395 by Judge C. Ashley Pike. These figures include direct expenditures made by the candidates and in-kind contributions, which are campaign expenses paid in support of the candidate by someone else.
Pike is seeking a fourth term as judge but is being challenged in the May 8 primary election by Bickerton, an assistant county prosecutor. Both are Republicans, and Bickerton has the county GOP's endorsement.
According to their reports, Bickerton received contributions totaling $17,545, plus a $10,000 loan from her husband. She has a remaining balance of $2,932. Pike reported receiving contributions totaling $2,585 and a balance of $2,139 going into the final days of the campaign.
The judge's race is the only contested local race. Following are the campaign reports for the other candidates who are running against each other in the November general election. The figures do not take into account any campaign balance carried over into 2018:
County Commissioner
Incumbent Republican Mike Halleck reported receiving contributions of $5,680 and spending $1,599, leaving him with a $17,395 balance.
Democratic challenger Keith Merriman did not receive or spend anything.
State Representative
Incumbent Tim Ginter reported $11,385 in contributions and spending $17,385. Democratic challenger John Dyce received $9,845 in contributions and spent $1,273. Ginter has a balance of $12,223 compared to $10,300 for Dyce.
The county Democratic Party reported contributions of $1,330, expenditures of $3,981 and balance of $7,178.
The county Republican Party Judicial Fund reported contributions of $7,626, expenditures of $138 and a balance of $10,880.
The county Republican Party Political Account reported contributions of $66,218, expenditures of $63,367 and a balance of $31,735.