Cash flows into Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield campaigns

Locked in perhaps his toughest bid for re-election, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard collected $115,196 in campaign cash this year.

The five-term mayor had a war chest with $257,764 heading into the May 5 Republican primary. He's spent $155,373, including on TV commercials and several campaign mailers.

His opponent, City Council President Rick Sharp, collected $65,252. Sharp had $135,102, with cash on hand and spent $88,813, also on TV commercials and mailers.

Brainard and Sharp have been successful at persuading businesses that do work with the city to contribute to their campaigns.

Carmel-based Pedcor was the mayor's biggest contributor. The company donated $5,000. Three of its top executives, Bruce Cordingly, Gerald Pedigo and Phillip Stoffregen, each donated $5,000.

Brainard has teamed with Pedcor to redevelop the city's urban core in a relationship political opponents have criticized as being too cozy.

In December, the mayor convinced the City Council to vote 4-3 — with Sharp leading the opposition — to approve up to $20 million in property-tax backed bonds for a parking garage and other infrastructure at City Center, Pedcor's signature Carmel development.

Brainard's other top contributors include Bradley Battlin of RQAW engineering firm; CHA Consulting PAC and CD PAC, which each represent design firms; the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors and Old Town Associates. Each gave $5,000.

Sharp's top donor, Stuart Reed of Magnolia Health Systems, donated $10,000. Robert Butler of Butler Auto Care and Craig May of Royal Pin bowling donated $5,000 each.

In Westfield, Mayor Andy Cook raised $13,300 in his bid for a third term. He had $18,999, with cash on hand, and spent $5,851 with a campaign consulting firm.

As in Carmel, Cook's top contributors do business in his city. Faegre Baker Daniels law firm, which represented Westfield during the sale of its water utility, donated $2,500. CHA Consulting, a roadwork consultant the city uses, also donated $2,500.

Cook's opponent, Pike Township firefighter Jeff Harpe, raised $7,507. He loaned his campaign nearly all of that money. His top donor was County Councilman Rick McKinney, who gave $550. McKinney's son, Daniel McKinney, is running for Westfield City Council.

Harpe has spent $4,975, mostly on yard signs.

In Noblesville, Mayor John Ditslear raised $43,225 and had $131,663 with cash on hand. He spent $50,547, largely on a digital campaign.

Ditelear hasn't faced a serious challenge in four terms, but he said he didn't want to take any race for granted.

His top donor, developer J.L. Gershman, gave $5,000. Gershman was involved in developing the Hamilton Town Center mall.

Mike Corbett, publisher of Hamilton County Business Magazine, is challenging Ditslear a second time. Corbett raised $7,274 and spent $2,689, mainly on signs and mailings. He loaned himself $2,000 and has several smaller contributions.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness is uncontested. He raised $1,250 and has $52,125.

Call Star reporter Chris Sikich at (317) 444-6036. Follow him @ChrisSikich.