Dist. 43 House candidates collect donations in different ways

In the first six months of the year, candidates for state House District 43 may have taken divergent paths in raising campaign contributions, but candidates are neck-and-neck when it comes to the available funds.

Ruth Munson, an Elgin Republican who is an avid user of social media outlets, saw contributions largely from individuals. Meanwhile, incumbent Democrat Keith Farnham, a union painter from Elgin, was popular with corporations and election groups, according to a semiannual report of campaign contributions and expenditures filed this week with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

The 43rd District includes portions of Elgin, South Elgin, Carpentersville, East Dundee and Barrington Hills.

Munson, who represented the Elgin-based district from 2002 to 2009, raised $21,923 in the first six months compared to the $15,385 in contributions Farnham collected.

Munson, who raised almost $18,000 from individual contributions, said that show of support is due to her previous tenure and involvement with a number of local organizations.

"I have long worked in the Elgin community in a number of different capacities before I was in office and after," Munson said. "In previous years while I was in office I also worked with other communities. I think it is about keeping engaged locally."

On the other hand, Farnham raised more than $10,000 from group contributions and just more than $5,000 in individual contributions. Munson took in about $4,000 in group contributions.

Farnham said the modest individual contribution count is not an indicator of the amount of support he has received from residents, who contribute in other ways, he said.

"There are many people, especially in this difficult economy, who cannot afford to give much monetarily, but who help in other ways, by walking door-to-door, making phone calls, and walking with me in parades," Farnham said.

Despite raising less than his opponent, the incumbent was still able to spend almost $7,000 more than Munson thanks to the $20,895 he had available at the beginning of the year. Farnham reported expenditures of $22,880 for the first half of the year on items such as printing costs, utilities and office space rental.

Still, both parties reported having about $13,000 available after the first six months, Munson with $12,859 and Farnham reporting $13,400.