The cost of getting elected in New Westminster appears to be on the rise.
Six candidates ran in the New Westminster riding in the May 2013 provincial election, with the hope of succeeding NDP MLA Dawn Black, who spent $75,521 on her 2009 election campaign.
Documents released this week by Elections B.C. showed the expenses incurred by candidates in the 60-day preelection campaign and in the campaign period leading up to the May 15 provincial election.
NDP candidate Judy Darcy, who was elected New Westminster's MLA, spent $90,078 on her campaign.
All totalled, her campaign had an income of $126,240, which included political contributions of $21,539 and transfers of $103,576.
According to documents filed with Elections B.C., Darcy's campaign received contributions of $695 from individuals, $302 from unincorporated business/commercial organizations and $20,541 from trade unions. The transfers included more than $70,000 from the New Westminster NDP constituency association, as well as funds and services (for items such as leaflets and website) from the B.C. NDP At the end of the election, there was a $36,162 balance in Darcy's campaign account.
During the 60-day pre-election campaign, Darcy spent $20,825, which included office rent ($4,536), salaries and benefits ($4,513), postage and courier services ($2,116), media advertising ($2,635), newsletter and promotional materials ($1,802) and social functions and thank-you parties ($1,582). In the actual campaign, Darcy spent $48,873, which included $21,980 on salaries and benefits.
B.C. Liberal candidate Hector Bremner, who placed second in the polls behind
Darcy, was the second biggest spender among New Westminster candidates. All totalled, his campaign spent $59,497, which included costs in pre-campaign election expenses and expenses during the campaign period.
The biggest expense of Bremner's campaign was $11,858 for newsletter and promotional materials such as signs and brochures.
Other expenses during the campaign included $8,595 for salaries and benefits, $2,500 for office rent, $3,166 for office supplies and $5,819 for media advertising. The documents filed with Elections B.C. showed that Bremner received political donations of $6,509, as well as transfers of $50,531 from the B.C. Liberal Party, for a total income of $57,290.
Independent candidate James Crosty spent $4,526 on his provincial election campaign. His campaign had a total income of $4,530.
The bulk of contributions - $3,630 - came from individuals including himself and his partner and two other individuals, but Crosty also received a $400 corporate donation. The majority of Crosty's campaign expenses were for media advertising ($2,349) and office costs ($1,218). B.C. Green Party candidate Terry Teather spent $1,396 on his campaign, the
bulk of which went to newsletters and promotional materials such as signs and brochures. He received contributions of $230 from individuals and $1,188 from the provincial party.
B.C. Conservative Party candidate Paul Forseth had income of $1,200, the majority coming from his party's local constituency association. He spent $1,200 during the pre-election and election campaign, which included media advertising and postage.
Libertarian candidate Lewis Dahlby ran the most frugal campaign in New Westminster, spending only $250 on his nomination deposit. Elections B.C. documents indicate those weren't even his own funds as they were transferred to him from the B.C. Libertarian Party.
