Couper outspends all others

Four mayoral candidates collectively spent just over $107,000 pursuing the top job. Mayor Ken Couper (who defeated the incumbent Vince Cocurullo by 435 votes) was the campaign’s big spender at $43,447, followed by Brad Flower $35,018, Vince Cocurullo $19,151, and  Marie Olsen $9,917.

On a per-vote basis, Flower’s votes cost $5.93 each, Couper $3.50, Cocurullo $1.60, and Olsen $1.19.

Couper, Cocurullo and Olsen self-funded their campaigns, while Flower received a donation of $8,000 donation from the late Wally Yovich and $2,500 from Land Matters Ltd, a company involved in property services and project management.

Most candidates running for councillor positions spent between $2,000 to $4,000 on their campaigns. Those who “spent” nothing were sitting councillors Phoenix Ruka (Maori ward), Paul Yovich (Okara) and Nicholas Connop (Okara). All were re-elected!