King holds slight advantage in funds as election day looms

With six days remaining until voters must submit their ballots for the May 21 primary election, the contenders for Position 2 on the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners continue to raise the money they will hope land them in office.

As of May 15, David “Bubba” King had slightly edged incumbent Lindsay Berschauer in campaign funds, according to OreStar. The Oregon Secretary of State’s campaign and expenditure reporting system tallies campaign contributions and expenditures for races ranging from city councils to state offices.

King had tallied $48,458 in cash contributions and $10,533 in in-kind contributions for a total of $58,902 since mounting his campaign for the office last fall. The Newberg organic farmer’s cash expenditures topped $65,126, and he had remaining in the bank a cash balance of $12,536.

None of King’s cash contributions since April 26 were over $500, except for $2,000 from the Beth Wytoski Campaign Fund and $1,008 in in-kind donations from Engagement Strategies of Oregon. Wytoski ran for Position 1 on the commission in 2022, losing to Kit Johnston . Engagement Strategies of Oregon is a political advisory group.

The bulk of King’s largest expenditures were to companies providing campaign communications and mailing services: $1,396 to C&E Systems, $2,400 to Community Newspapers, $2,075 to GISI Marketing and $2,655 to the United States Postal Service.

As of May 15, Berschauer had amassed $51,477 in cash contributions and $3,658 in in-kind donations, for a total of $55,135. Her cash expenditures topped $39,603 and she retained a cash balance of $13,785.

Berschauer, who is seeking her second term in office, has seen a handful of large donations over the past several weeks, including a number from individuals: Gene Belt ($2,000), Steve Belt ($1,000) and Bruce Ernst ($1,000). Berschauer also received a sizable donation from the Yamhill County Republic Party ($2,500) in late April.

Berschauer’s largest expenditures were primarily for signage and other outreach efforts as well: $23,105 to Electronic Management Corp. (mail and print services) and $1,000 to PIP Communications.

The third candidate for the commissioner spot, retired Newberg chemist David Wall, had no reported contributions or expenditures as of May 15.

OreStar will continue to accumulate campaign and expenditure reports up to and past the date of the election next week.