Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles reporting the campaign finances of each of the Lake Charles mayoral candidates.

Candidates for Lake Charles mayor have together raised nearly half a million dollars to finance their campaigns since January 2016, with Nic Hunter leading the pack in both collections and expenses.

As of Feb. 13, they had collected $482,771 and spent $310,577, according to campaign finance reports filed with the state. All mayoral candidates are required to report their campaign finances to the Louisiana Board of Ethics. Seven of the eight candidates reported; Gary Monbelly did not.

Hunter raised $184,406 in donations and had $85,789 left over from his previous campaign for the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. He spent $100,180, leaving him with $170,014 at the close of the reporting period.

Hunter’s biggest expense was $49,158 to The Political Firm in Baton Rouge for consulting, signs, a newspaper ad, push cards and website development. His second-biggest expense was $20,000 to Arsement Media Group of Lafayette for ad consulting.

Of the seven candidates who reported, Hunter was the only one who didn’t take out loans to boost his budget. He also didn’t report any in-kind donations. All of his funding came from the more than 400 people and businesses who gave to his campaign.

All donors who gave $500 or more are listed below. They are from Lake Charles except where noted.

Contributions in district elections are limited to $2,500 under state law.

Contributions

$500: Frank R. Abate; Meghan Abraham; All Star Buick GMC Trucks Inc., Sulphur; Larry J. Avery; Louie D. Barbe III; Karen Barker; Benco Inc.; Blue Star Marine; Margaret F. Boudreau; Dinah C. Bradford; Merle B. Broussard; Turner Brumby; Jake Buford; Buttross Family Properties LLC; C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates Inc.; Calatex Hotel Group LLC; Caraway-Branch Chiropractic LLC; Cherie Cascio; Central Crude Logistics LLC; Rosalie Colligan; Charlotte Colosky; Michael Colosky; John Condos; Arthur R. Cooling of Kemah, Texas; Sean Corcoran; Crawford Orthodontics Inc.; George Crosby; David B. Green Law Firm LLC; David Reinauer Realtor; Keith Desonier M.D.; Johns A. Digiglia III; Sattaria Dilks; Dkaki LLC; Karen G. Drewett; Curtis Dyle; Lucie Earhart; Fastsigns; Keri Forbess-McCorquodale; Gayle Law Firm LLC; Bernard Gibbs; Gill Bright Animal Hospital; Hankins Holdings LLC; Mark Hanudel; John Henning; Christine E. Hixson; Edwin F. Hunter III; Jack G. Wheeler Law Office; JMP Hospitality Inc.; Vesta Johnston; Robert G. Jones; Joseph A. Delafield A Professional Corp.; Robert C. King II; Carrie Kudla; L & T Health Systems LLC; Law Office of Brad A. Guillory LLC; Jennifer Leach; Ben Marriner; Martin Byrley Shelter Insurance; Robert A. McBride; William R. McDonald; Monica Miller; William J. Mize; Dr. John F. Moffett; Thomas J. Mulhearn IV; Navarra’s; Pappy’s Deli & Sports Pub; Mrs. James C. Pauley; Kenny Phipps, Sulphur; Pousson’s Tool & Fasteners Co.; Robert W. Price Jr., Westlake; Roy M. Raftery Jr.; John F. Raggio M.D.; Randy Fuerst LLC; B.J. Reaves III; J. D. Rembert Jr.; Randolph R. Robb; Landon Roberts; Robichaux, Mize, Wadsack & Richardson LLC; Roddy, Waton & Everett; Bal K. Sareen, Houston; Gus W. Schram III; Eileen Scofield; Bernard T. Shea; Carl G. Shelter; Solar Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration; Walter W. Somers Jr.; Southland Capital LLC; Stage One-The Hair School Inc.; Steven W. Hale & Associates Inc.; Eric Stevens; Nancy Sylvester; Philip C. Tarver; The Sikich Law Firm; Louis M. Todd; Nancy Tugwell; Tyson Queenan/Queenan Dirt Contracting; Patrick J. Unkel M.D.; John S. Vanhoose M.D.; Debbie Vicknair; Bryan Vincent; Waste Management; Peter Whitbeck; Karen Yoder.

$550: Dr. Bryan G. Barootes; William R. Hays Jr., Sulphur.

$560: Amy P. Allen; Katherine K. Blake; Mary K. Corcoran.

$620: Susan Cormier.

$650: Charmayne Yelverton.

$750: Coral C. Byrd; Home Building Materials Inc.; Joe T. Miller; John C. Shank.

$800: SuperBob’s Lawn & Landscape LLC.

$900: Randy C. Venable.

$1,000: Albert Andrepont; Blake D. Hines Inc.; Rueben Broussard; Carl W. Churchman Jr., DDS, LLC; Charles Ladner & Associates Inc.; Douglas Gehrig; Sam Ivey; Robert C. King; Lake Woodland Partners LP; Law Offices of Michael H. Schwartzberg; Thomas Q. Litel; Martin Automotive Group Inc.; Matt Redd LLC; Douglas McElveen; Mrs. Chester M. Miller; Pat Williams Construction LLC, Leesville; Doyle Pennick, Sulphur; Oliver G. Richard III; Mauricio Santacoloma; Kelley Saucier; Schlesingers Wholesalers; T & L Windows and Air Conditioning; Tri-Star Management LLC; Veron, Bice, Palermo & Wilson LLC; Mike Veron; Nicolas E. Villaume; Walter M. Sanchez Attorney at Law; Dr. Daniel A. Weaver.

$1,250: Antoon Law Firm LLC; Donald R. Blocker; David Painter; Glenn Pumpelly, Sulphur.

$1,500: Clark A. Gunderson M.D.; Steven M. Jordan Properties LLC.

$2,000: Harry K. Castle.

$2,500: Alfred Palma LLC; Apollo Energy Operating Co. LP; Baggett, McCall, Burgess, Watson & Gaughan LLC; Christopher A. Salvador Construction LLC; Civil Construction Co. & Environmental Services LLC; Corcoran Law Firm LLC; Dore’ Energy Corp.; William J. Dore’; Jacqui Elliot, Westlake; Jimmie W. Elliot Jr., Westlake; Joshua Elliot, Westlake; Meyer & Associates Inc., Sulphur; Vernon Meyer, Westlake; Evelyn Oubre; Pat Scofield.

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Tomorrow: Campaign finance report for Dana Jackson.