Olson campaign financing lead widens

County commissioner Mike Olson increased his lead in campaign contributions by $4,000 in the last days of the 2008 general election, according to documents filed with the Douglas County Clerk's Office.

Olson received a $2,500 campaign contribution from Park Cattle's political action committee, even though he voted against the company's 4,500-unit project when it came before the Douglas County Planning Commission in August.

Carson Build Pac, established by the Builders Association of Western Nevada donated $1,000 to Olson's campaign. The final $500 came from an organization called NMTA Activities.

Olson spent a total of $35,067 to get elected to his seat.

Commissioner Greg Lynn reported $2,000 in new donations in the last days of the campaign, bringing his total to $19,094.

He received $500 from Carson Valley businessman Mike Gilbert and $1,500 from Tom Bruce.

Lynn financed his campaign with a $12,307 secured loan. He spent a total of $16,730 in his bid for the seat.

Incumbent county commissioner Doug Johnson reported receiving no new contributions in the third reporting period, which ended Jan. 15.

Under Nevada law, candidates for office must file regular financial disclosures during the campaign. Once elected or appointed, public officers must file financial disclosures with the state commission on ethics.

Disclosures are compiled and reported to the by the secretary of state's office for public inspection by Feb. 16.

Olson outspent every other candidate in the race in his victory, having raised money from the Coalition for Smart Growth, the Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors and engineer R.O. Anderson.

Olson's processor, Kelly Kite, spent $27,000 in 2004 to retain his seat for a third term.

Olson defeated Republican Stuart Posselt to win the primary election and Democrat Nancy Epstein in the general election.