MSA campaign bills vary

By Josie Gingrich and Lisa Koivu

Daily Staff Reporters

Increased competition in this year's Michigan Student Assembly elections has not necessarily translated into large campaign bills for the candidates.

"I've spent approximately $100 at the maximum," Wolverine candidate Doug Tietz said. "And party dues are part of that."

The most common costs for candidates included chalk, fliers and posters. Some parties also spent money for a final push during the last two days in hopes of attracting more voters.

"The main expense was chalk and postering," Tietz said. "Tape is also expensive. Tape was probably at least $30 out of the $100."

Galaxor Nebulon, presidential candidate for the Friends Rebelling Against Tyranny Party estimated party expenses to total $103.

"I put in about $20," Nebulon said. "The keg cost $60. Somebody spent $20 on copies and I spent $3 on the big board I carry around."

While some parties require candidates to donate money, others rely on voluntary contributions.

"We take up donations," said Jessica Curtin, the Defend Affirmative Action Party vice presidential hopeful. "We spent only a few hundred on the campaign. We probably spent the least money, but we're the most committed people," she said.

Curtin emphasized the importance of speaking with people instead of using gimmicks.

"We have lots of support and word of mouth," she said. "It's not money, but connections."

Independent presidential candidate Hideki Tsutsumi said he has relied on constituent contact to run his campaign.

"The parties are spending a lot of money and that's not right. I had $300 for the entire election but everyone's talking about me. I can save money, therefore I can help students save money," Tsutsumi said.

The Blue Party also has been visible on the Diag, playing music and offering cotton candy to passersby.

"If you were to include everything, it was around $3,700 for 39 candidates," said Elise Erickson, Blue Party vice presidential hopeful.

"That includes Diag days, fliers, posters, copying and off-campus door hangers," Erickson said.

But she emphasized the importance of outside help. "We had a lot of donations."

Despite the spending, some candidates said they felt the effort was fruitless.

"The only problem was that the fliers were torn down every morning," Blue Party representative candidate Duke Kims said.

"We could have bought annoying campaign tactics, but we don't like it when everyone else does it. Fliers are ineffective and we didn't have much money," he said.

Monique Luse of the All People's Party said she hopes spending wouldn't influence how people voted.

"If people don't vote for me, I'm assuming they didn't agree with my issues," she said.

"I didn't want to make it about fluff. I'm hoping that people voted on issues and not what someone could do for them that moment in the Diag."

But most candidates think their spending will produce results at the polls.

"People are more receptive if they know you're legit and not some guy off the street," Tietz said.