Mehlville Fire Protection District Board of Directors candidate Mike Klund and his supporters spent nearly $100,000 in their unsuccessful bid to unseat Chairman Aaron Hilmer, according to post-election campaign finance reports.
Mike for Mehlville Fire — Klund’s committee — and Friends of the Mehlville Fire District — a separate committee formed to support his campaign — raised $100,657.24 and spent $99,534.92 for the fire board race.
Hilmer’s committee reported total contributions and expenditures of $14,030.38.
The MFPD board chairman narrowly defeated Klund in the April 5 election, capturing nearly 49 percent of the vote to win a second, six-year term.
Klund received 7,205 votes — 47.5 percent — and Hilmer received 7,418 votes — 48.9 percent.
Campaign committee reports detailing financial activity through April 30 were due last week.
Klund’s committee reported $26,335 in total contributions and $26,432.68 in total expenditures, with $2.32 on-hand.
The committee reported $130 in new contributions from persons giving $100 or less. It paid $10,064.92 to Show Me Victories for marketing material and printing, $1,345 to Call Newspapers for advertising and $1,000 to Regional Growth Consultants in Kansas City for ad design.
Friends of the Mehlville Fire District reported total contributions of $74,322.24 and total expenditures of $73,102.24 in expenditures.
The committee reported $2,502.24 in new contributions and $4,206.01 in new expenses. It received $2,502.24 after the election from Mehlville Firefighters Local 1889 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
The committee paid $2,021.50 to Stinson Morrison and Hecker for an ethics attorney; $1,100 to the Sports Pub in Oakville for a post-election party; and $1,000 to campaign manager Ed Rhode for consulting.
In a quarterly report filed April 14 detailing its financial activity through March 31, the committee reported $4,720 in contributions and $2,312.74 in expenditures.
The group reported receiving $3,000 from Local 1889; $500 from Pattonville firefighters; a $1,150 in-kind contribution from Pelican Printing and $70 in other in-kind contributions.
The committee paid $1,369.70 to Pelican Printing for printing and postage; $639.27 to Trio Graphics for signs; and $303.77 to Peace Printing for envelopes.
Local 1889 contributed a total of $78,502.24 to both committees. In addition, the national IAFF office contributed $14,700 to Klund’s committee.
Hilmer’s committee received $3,000 from Dean Eggerding of Fenton; $500 from Hilvin Investment Corp. and $160 from people giving $100 or less.
The committee paid $4,029 to Call Newspapers for advertising; $1,077.13 to City Graphics for mailers; and $179.26 to Hilmer for victory party refreshments.
