Political strategists, ad buys: Here's how Republican Natalie Rascher spent her money

EVANSVILLE — Similar to reports from the primary, Republican Natalie Rascher's filings show steady support from Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and members of the current city administration.

For the pre-election period of April 8 to Oct. 13, Rascher brought in $631,332.96 in contributions. Year to date, she's had nearly $1 million contributed to her campaign.

In that April-to-October time frame, Rascher spent $551,980.10.

Here's some of her more significant donors and how she spent the money.

Corporations and political action committees donating to Natalie Rascher

Among corporate donors, a few area business gave Rascher $1,000 or more.

This included:

• D.L. Savage Engineering Inc. at $1,000

• Wolfe's Evansville Auto Auction Inc. at $1,000

• John Elpers Homes at $1,500

• PMG Tree CareLandscape Inc. at $2,000

Rascher also got a boost from multiple political action committees. The largest PAC contribution was from the local Evansville Future PAC at $23,000.

Commonwealth Engineers PAC donated $15,000 during the six-month period, as did DPBG, the PAC for American Structurepoint. First Group Engineering, Inc., through its For Better Infrastructure Political Action Committee, came in third at $10,150.

$10,000 donors to Rascher:

• CD PAC: connected NFP, an Indianapolis-based insurance brokerage firm.

• HNTB PAC: connected to HNTB Corporation, a Missouri-based engineering firm.

$5,000 donors to Rascher:

• Arcadias U.S. Inc. PAC: connected to Arcadias North America, an engineering firm in Colorado.

• ICE PAC: Ice Miller Law in Indianapolis.

• Indiana Realtors PAC

• Local 215 Drive Political Fund

• Old National Bank PAC ($5,600)

• OORAH! Political Action Committee (connected to Sen. Todd Young)

• SIBA PAC - Southern Indiana Builders Association

First responder support

Rascher has the endorsement from both the local Fraternal Order of Police and the Evansville Professional Firefighters Local. Both organization's PACs supported financially during this period.

The Evansville Professional Firefighters Local 357 PAC gave $2,467.38 and the FOP Lodge gave $600.

'Friends of Mayor Winnecke'

Friends of Mayor Winnecke gave Rascher six separate donations during this reporting period, all of varying amounts.

The largest was $25,000, followed by:

• $3,108.30

• $2,000

• $1,000

• $500

• $264

Carol McClintock, a local Realtor and Winnecke's wife, also made two contributions this period totaling $1,200. McClintock also made in-kind contributions noted as "postage" costs.

Members of Winnecke's administration also appear in Rascher's report, including city attorney Marco DeLucio and city controller Russ Lloyd.

DeLucio gave a total of $11,650 and Lloyd gave $1,300.

DeLucio's law firm also contributed $6,000 to Rascher.

Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Executive Director Lane Young contributed $480 and former fire chief Mike Connelly contributed $150 the week before he abruptly left his position with the city.

Jerome Stewart, president of the parks board and a Winnecke appointee, has contributed $576 to Rascher.

None of this support is surprising as Winnecke's support for Rascher has been clear since the announcement of her campaign.

How did Natalie Rascher spend her money?

Rascher spent a large amount of money with Brabender Cox, LLC, an advertising firm based in Washington D.C. The firm has done ads for Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, Sen. Todd Young and Winnecke.

Her expenses include $56,660 for ad placement, $67,843 for ad placement, $137,229 for media buys, $17,730 for a commercial shoot and production and $99,150 for a media buy.

She spent $30,000 with Indianapolis consulting firm Limestone Strategies. The firm has worked with Young and Winnecke. Their website includes a quote from Winnecke, referring to them as "the most impressive strategists in the business."

Public Opinion Strategies, a public opinion research and polling firm that has worked with Young and Winnecke, also shows up on Rascher's report. She spent $20,000 with them in August.

Another research firm that's worked with Young also shows up on Rascher's report. She spent $5,200 with Percipient Strategies earlier this month.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Here's how Republican mayoral hopeful Natalie Rascher spent her money