Rep. Cole leads Democrat foe in fundraising

With less than four months until Election Day, two-term Republican state Rep. Sandy Cole is far better funded than her Democratic foe, new financial disclosure reports show.

But challenger Rich Voltair is criticizing donations Cole received from the financial industry at a time when it's mired in controversy.

Cole, of Grayslake, collected nearly $34,987 in campaign donations during the first half of the year, according to a financial report filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections this month. As of June 30, her campaign had about $41,818 in the bank.

First-time candidate Voltair had an estimated $968 in the bank as of June 30, his disclosure report showed. He raised $3,894 during the first half of 2010, documents show.

Voltair said his team is focused on a door-to-door campaign to raise awareness right now but plans to create yard signs and mail literature when funds become available.

"The number one rule of field operations is 'signs don't vote,'" he said in an e-mail. "We are getting very positive responses from voters at the door."

Cole said she plans to run "a lean race" unless Democratic Party leaders decide to throw financial support to her opponent.

"I'll have to improvise later on if that happens," she said.

The 62nd District is in central Lake County. The seat carries a two-year term.

Candidates for local, county or state offices who raise or spend more than $3,000 must file financial disclosure reports with the state. The newest reports cover collections and expenditures made between Jan. 1 and June 30.

Reports for Cole, Voltair and other candidates can be viewed at elections.state.il.us/campaigndisclosure.

Voltair's financial disclosure form listed six donations from individuals, and most came from relatives. He also received two transfers from political committees representing a sheet metal workers union and the United Auto Workers of Illinois that totaled $500.

Voltair had started the year with about $599 in his campaign coffers, his disclosure report indicates. His campaign spent nearly $3,525 on printing, a website and other expenses during the first half of the year.

Cole, who was elected to the House in 2006 and re-elected in 2008, received many donations from corporations and political action committees representing a variety of industries.

Those donors included: the health care company Humana, which gave $500; the pharmaceutical firm Pfizer, which gave $500; Supervalu, the parent company of Jewel-Osco, which gave $250; and Walgreen Co., which gave $1,000.

In a news release sent this week, Voltair criticized Cole for taking donations from banking and mortgage companies or organizations such Titlemax, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Community BancPac and the Illinois Bankers Association.

"The November election will prove to be very contentious and expensive as incumbents defend their established ties to banking interests while upstart citizen activists try to unseat them," Voltair said.

Cole was puzzled by the attack. She said she doesn't serve on committees that deal with banking or mortgage issues.

She also said the donations she's received from such organizations are not much compared to the donations other, more senior, legislators have accepted.

Cole spent about $12,223 in the last six months on office supplies, parade entry fees, signs and other items, her report shows.