Pitsch piles up campaign cash

Rep. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith, in recent campaigns has bested his political opponents with respect to raising campaign funds. In his May 2010 primary race against J.R. Dallas, Altes raised a little more than $44,000 compared to just over $10,000 raised by Dallas.

But Mat Pitsch has hit the ground running, collecting $19,000 in two months (August and September) of reports that ended with a balance of $11,642.

The reports were filed monthly, although campaigns are not required to file monthly reports until Jan. 1.

Pitsch, a Fort Smith businessman and educator, announced Aug. 2 his plans to attempt to unseat the undefeated Altes in the May 2012 GOP primary for the Arkansas House of Representatives District 76 seat.

Altes has won all his primary and general races, and often by wide margins. In the May 2010 GOP primary, Altes defeated Dallas — the former 188th Fighter Wing commander — with 59.05% of the vote.

To date, Altes has not posted a financial report, but he did raise “a couple of thousand dollars,” in October, he said. The fourth quarter reports are due in January. Altes’ most recent financial report was posted Dec. 28, 2010, which showed a $0 carryover or debt from his campaign against Dallas.

“I’m kind of shocked, kind of surprised,” Altes said when told that Pitsch had raised $19,000 as of Sept. 30. “I thought it would be difficult for him to raise money since he’s never run for office before.”

As to his own fundraising effort, Altes said he “will probably not kick that in until the first of the year.”

Pitsch’s campaign reports shows expenses of $33.48 to set up a PayPal account, $138.81 for kick-off meeting supplies, $275 for website development and $6,910 for campaign support services provided by Williams-Crawford & Associates.

PITSCH CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS (more than $100)
$100
Ameritrade Investments, Fort Smith
Jennifer and Phillip Bryant, Fort Smith
Gary Campbell, Fort Smith
John Cooley, Fort Smith
Lori Cravens, Fort Smith
Deramus Travel-Rick Deramus, Fort Smith
Jim Dunn, Fort Smith
Darryl Hardy, Fort Smith
Barbara Hathcock, Fort Smith
Keith Lau, Fort Smith
Mark Myers, Fort Smith
Wes Moore, Fort Smith
Rob Ratley, Fort Smith
Sharon and Ken Seibenmorgen, Central City
Travis Stephens, Fort Smith
Darryl Stoval, Fort Smith

$150
Mike Malone, Fayetteville

$200
Greg Hale, Fort Smith
Bill Hanesworth, Fort Smith
Barry Hunter, Fort Smith
Melody Trimble, Fort Smith
Fort Smith City Director Pam Weber

$250
Brad Arterbury, Fort Smith
Jerald Baker, Booneville
Jeff Beauchamp, Fort Smith
Randy Coleman, Fort Smith
Jim Geels, Fort Smith
Aaron Littlefield, Booneville
Rusty Myers, Fort Smith
Craig Pair, Fort Smith
Wayne Phillips, Fort Smith
Pinnacle Communications, Lavaca
Craig Rivaldo, Fort Smith
Sam T. Sicard, Fort Smith
Shannon Snell, Fort Smith
John Taylor, Fort Smith

$300
Fort Smith City Director Philip Merry, Jr.
Phil White, Fort Smith

$400
Della & Leland Pitsch, Fort Smith

$500
Justin Boyd, Fort Smith
Marty Clark, Fort Smith
William “Bud” Harper, Fort Smith
Kate and Hugh Maurras, Fort Smith
Lavon Morton, Fort Smith
Sam M. Sicard Estate, Fort Smith
Bennie Westphal, Fort Smith

$1,000
Doug Babb, Fort Smith
Bob Miller, Fort Smith
Williams-Crawford & Associates, Fort Smith (non-money contribution)

$2,000
John Baxter, Fort Smith
Hanna Oil & Gas, Fort Smith
Mike Stec, Fort Smith