SWEETWATER COUNTY — Rock Springs Mayor Max Mickelson has outspent every other mayoral candidate in Rock Springs and Green River in his reelection bid, according to election finance filings at the Sweetwater County Clerk’s Office.

Between the two cities, $24,702.08 has been spent on mayoral elections campaigns leading up to the Aug. 18 Primary Election. On average, mayoral candidates in the two cities spent $3,528.87, though Mickelson’s campaign significantly skews that average. Without his spending, the average is $1,841.38. 

Mickelson reported spending five figures on his reelection campaign, reporting $13,653.80 in expenditures and receiving $16,734.93 in campaign contributions. Mickelson’s contributions consist of $9,359.93 in contributions made personally or from immediate family, $2,375 from individual contributions, and a $5,000 loan Mickelson made to his campaign. Amongst Mickelson’s expenditures include a total $4,525.30 on campaign signs, not including another $734.58 listed for signs, stickers and magnets, as well as $4,093.03 for campaign hats and shirts. He also lists $700 spent on magnetic mustaches.

Councilman Rick Milonas, who faces Mickelson for the mayoral position in November, reported spending $4,319.24 so far. All of the expenses are listed as personal contributions Milonas made to his campaign. Most of Milonas’ expenditures are related to campaign signage, which amounts to $2,827.83. He also spent $1,000 on video production.

Kathy Phelps, who was knocked out of the mayoral race Aug. 18, reported spending $1,414.16, but didn’t disclose how much campaign funding she contributed to her campaign or was given to her from other people. She also spent a majority of her funds on signs, a cost that amounted to $1,037.10.

Much Less was Spent in Green River

In Green River, none of the candidates reported spending as much as the amount spent in Rock Springs, with individual candidate spending not surpassing $2,000.

Stan Blake made it through to the November election and reported spending $1,573.54, the amount his campaign received. Blake reported his campaign received $708.54 from personal contributions and $865 in individual contributions. Signs were his biggest expense, which amounted to $644.48.

Phillip Stanton’s campaign also survived to the General Election and spent a similar amount to Blake, reporting $1,548.34 in expenditures, all of which came from personal contributions to the campaign. Stanton’s largest expenses were signs, which amounted to $674.16, and shirts, which costed him $578.76.

Karl Bode reported spending $1,250 in his campaign, $1,210 coming from personal and family contributions, while receiving $40 in individual contributions. All of his funds were spent on signs and cards.

Mark Peterson reported spending $943, all of which came from personal contributions. All of Peterson’s campaign funds were spent in newspaper advertising.

Jason Howard and Kayla Kappers reported spending and receiving nothing during their campaigns.