Candidates spend big on primary campaigns

Mauro Cantalamessa led Frank Fuda in spending so far.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- In the Democratic primary for Trumbull County commissioner, four men running for the seat being vacated by James Tsagaris are spending large amounts of money trying to get elected.
Thursday was the deadline for candidates to file campaign finance reports with the county board of elections. The reports cover activity through April 12.
Warren restaurateur Mauro Cantalamessa leads the way with $73,921 in contributions of cash or in-kind services. Of that, $48,910 is from cash contributions. Most of the candidate's contributions came from relatives: Joseph and Bartolomeo DiVieste of Warren gave $5,000 each; Michelina Cantalamessa of Warren contributed $15,000.
The candidate spent $26,200 with Two Ticks And A Dog Productions of Warren for television commercials and advertising.
Cantalamessa said he knew he would have to spend some money to run for the office.
"That's what it takes to get your name out there," he said. He has spent the most of the candidates so far -- $47,762. Niles Councilman Frank Fuda is second, having spent $45,548.
Others in running
Robert Marchese, Warren's council president, has not raised any money so far, instead providing his campaign with a $22,923 self loan. Marchese said he plans to spend almost $30,000 in television and print advertisements in the remaining weeks of the election.
He has spent $9,500 so far on billboards with Lamar Outdoor Advertising of Girard, $3,763 with Bell Printing Co. of Leavittsburg for yard signs and $2,211 with Kosta Outdoor Advertising of Cortland for billboards.
Fuda, who has the Democratic Party's endorsement, has $2,302 left. He contributed a $15,000 self loan, and he reported cash contributions of $20,835.
His biggest expense so far has been with AVP Digital Inc. of Warren for television advertisements. He has also spent $4,720 with Capital Promotions of Glenside, Pa., and $2,565 with Lamar Advertising of Girard, and contributed $8,685 to the Ohio Democratic Party.
Girard Mayor James Melfi listed contributions of $19,100 and shows a balance of $11,557 that he says he will spend the last two weeks of the race.
"Voters are not looking at dollars and cents," Melfi said. "They're looking at qualifications."
The two other candidates, Democrat Ted Harrell and unopposed Republican Niki Frenchko, both of Warren, did not file reports.