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Candidate Paustian critical of Gayman’s out-of-state money

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By Ed Tibbetts | Tuesday, May 20, 2008 |

Republican Statehouse candidate Ross Paustian is criticizing incumbent Rep. Elesha Gayman, D-Davenport, for raising the bulk of her campaign money this year from out-of-state donors.

“I just question what kind of access or influence are we going to have with out-of-state residents in our Legislature,” Paustian said Tuesday. “It’s just wrong.”

He added that relying on out-of-state donors is an indication of Gayman’s support in the district.

Gayman outraised Paustian from Jan. 1 through May 14, according to reports that were due Monday. She raised $15,823, with more than $10,000 from out-of-state donors, including a $2,500 contribution from the Laborers Local 309 political action committee based in Rock Island.

Other donations came from individuals in California, New York, Arizona and Massachusetts.

Paustian still has more money in the bank. He raised $9,795 for the period and had $22,614 in cash on hand. Gayman reported $14,288 in the bank.

The District 84 race, which includes western Scott County, Eldridge and parts of west Davenport, is a high priority for Statehouse Republicans, and it’s likely to get more expensive before November.

Gayman said Tuesday that her out-of-state donors are people who give to Democratic causes or are personal acquaintances.

“I don’t really think it’s reflective of the support in the district. That’s judged on Election Day,” Gayman said. She added the majority of her donors are from within the county.

Paustian acknowledged he wouldn’t turn down out-of-state contributions but said he’s not seeking them. He received $305 in out-of-state contributions, half from relatives.

The fundraising report also showed Gayman received $7,416 in in-kind services from her party. Paustian got $1,482 in in-kind help, mostly from his party.

Also reporting Monday were two candidates running in state Senate District 42, which includes parts of Scott and Clinton counties. The seat is held by Sen. Frank Wood, D-Eldridge.

Wood raised $6,665 and had $12,625 in the bank. He also got $20,429 in in-kind contributions from his party.

Davenport Alderman Shawn Hamerlinck, who is seeking the Republican nomination, raised $8,076 and had $875 in the bank at the end of the fundraising period.

Hamerlinck’s opponent in the primary, Thomas Black of Davenport, did not have a report posted on the disclosure board’s Web site as of Tuesday. A report isn’t required if a candidate doesn’t raise or spend $750.

In other races:

Linda Greenlee, a Davenport Republican challenging Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport, raised $3,685 and loaned her campaign $500. She had $3,713 in the bank.

Lykam, who represents District 85, raised $11,263, $6,075 of it from PACS. He had $18,196 in the bank. He also got $2,603 worth of in-kind services from his party.

In District 86, incumbent Rep. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, raised $3,600, $3,000 from a New York donor. She had $5,531 in the bank.

Republican challenger Joe Sturgis of Davenport raised $1,060 and had $1,006 in the bank.

In District 82, Democrat Phyllis Thede of Bettendorf raised $4,481 and had $4,499 in the bank.

Incumbent Rep. Jamie Van Fossen, R-Davenport, reported that he had raised $3,700, $2,000 from PACs. He had $224 in the bank.

Ed Tibbetts can be contacted at

(563) 383-2327 or etibbetts@qctimes.com.

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