PARKERSBURG- Bob Newell spent more than $33,000 in his primary re-election bid for mayor.
According to post-primary campaign reports filed with the city clerk Tuesday, Newell raised almost $34,000 and spent more than $33,200.
Newell fought off a strong challenge from former police chief Gerald Board in the Parkersburg Democratic mayoral primary. The incumbent mayor scratched out a 99-vote win over Board, netting almost 52 percent of the vote, 1,364 votes to Board's 1,265 votes.
Board spent almost $17,000 on his mayoral campaign.
Board listed $4,431 in contributions over the final stage. He spent more than $6,000 in the final stages of his campaign on advertising, including full color postcards.
Board also listed a $200 in-kind contribution from Rick Woodyard for an airplane and banner. The plane, equipped with a banner, sign and siren, flew over Parkersburg the Sunday before the primary election.
The siren caused a great deal of commotion among residents as law enforcement and the 911 call center were flooded with calls from residents concerned over the sirens. Parkersburg Police Chief Joe Martin contacted Board regarding the siren.
Board's campaign issued a press release that evening stating the candidate was unaware of any such promotion. The release stated Board made a few calls and requested the siren be shut off.
Newell reported contributions of more than $11,000 between May 21 and June 19. For the election cycle, Newell reported contributions totaling $33,779. He spent more than $33,200 to defeat Board.
In the post-primary report Newell spent more than $21,500 on advertising with radio, television, newsprint and mailers.
Newell is seeking to become the first person to serve three consecutive terms as mayor under the city's strong-mayor form of government.
Post-primary candidate reports were due June 19.
City Clerk Connie Shaffer has not received a report from mayoral candidate Sharyn Tallman. The Republican candidate was unopposed in the primary and will face Newell in the fall election.
Tallman reported $2,520 in contributions in her pre-primary report. She had a campaign fundraiser at Worthington Golf Club April 27, according to her website.
In the race for Parkersburg City Council, District 3 candidate Georgiana Atkinson reported spending $1,066 on her campaign. District 7 candidate John Kelly reported his campaign has raised $1,371 and spent $758. District 5 candidate J.R. Carpenter has spent $661 on his run for office.
Kelly and Carpenter both won their elections. Atkinson lost to Tandra Mays by three votes.
