By Steve Kemme
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ELECTION GUIDE

Election Guide 2003 Cincinnati.com provides an early look at the Nov. 4 vote with help on getting you registered, lists of area candidates and the latest campaign news. And there's more to come, including candidate profiles - as we get closer to Election Day.

Some candidates in political races in Butler, Warren and Clermont counties are spending a lot of money to attract votes on Nov. 4.

One of the biggest spenders in Butler County is George Lang, who is running for West Chester Township trustee.

So far, he has spent $17,995 on his campaign, almost triple the amount spent by the man he's trying to unseat, Dave Tacosik. Tacosik has spent $6,238.

Thursday was deadline for candidates who received at least $1,000 in campaign contributions or who spent at least $1,000 by Oct. 15 to file pre-election finance reports with their county boards of election.

The other two candidates in the West Chester trustee race, Tyrone Sims and Daniel Wagner, did not file finance reports.

In the race for three Hamilton City Council seats, incumbent George McNally has spent the most so far - $7,501.

He's followed by incumbents Christopher Flaig's $4,405 and Richard Holzberger's $2,713.

The only challenger who filed a report was Patrick Moeller, who has spent $2,187.

In the Fairfield City Council race, the biggest spenders so far are challenger Mitch Rhodus at $3,933 and incumbent Steve Miller at $2,586.

Next are incumbent Jeff Holtegel at $2,069; challenger Betty Kellum at $1,517; challenger Don Hassler, $1,312; incumbent Michael Snyder, $1,052; and challenger Marty Judd at $1,024.

The campaign for the Butler County Children Services' 2-mill replacement levy has collected $27,000 in contributions so far and has spent more than $21,000.

County officials say the agency needs the levy to maintain its level of services and to continue reform measures.

In Warren County, Lebanon City Councilman Ben Cole has spent the most among City Council candidates. His expenditures total $1,674.

In the race for three Mason City Council seats, the two biggest spenders are Gary Burket at $2,267 and Anthony Bradburn Jr. at $1,483.

In the Deerfield Township trustee race, incumbent William Morand has spent $5,825, and his opponent, Lee Speidel, has spent $2,308.

Clermont County Municipal Court Judge James Shriver, bidding for re-election, is the spending leader so far among the candidates competing for two municipal court seats.

Shriver has spent $13,040; challenger Anthony Brock, $10,270; challenger Ron Nason, $7,846; and incumbent Judge Tom Herman, $5,763.

In the Clermont County Municipal Clerk of Courts race, Tim Rudd has spent $8,283, while his opponent, Chris King, has spent $2,506.

Erica Solvig contributed to this story. E-mail skemme@enquirer.com and esolvig@enquirer.com