Nearly $150,000 spent so far in Ankeny, Johnston school board races

As Iowa school board elections have become more political, the costs associated with running for a volunteer position that decides everything from budgets to bus routes have also increased.

Campaign disclosure reports for city and school board candidates, city and school political action committees, and local ballot issue committees were due by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2.

Reports analyzed by Starting Line showed the higher cost associated with running for local office, especially in suburban school districts where national right-wing fights over books and how to teach about diversity have divided communities.

The Ankeny and Johnston school board races are two that have generated a lot of attention and the money matches the hype. Collectively, more than $145,000 was raised and/or spent in both races by candidates, political action committees, and independent organizations. 

Conservative and progressive organizations have gotten involved as well. The Family Leader, which endorsed conservative candidates in Johnston and Ankeny, spent nearly $13,000 so far in the Johnston School Board race. Alliance for a Better Iowa, a progressive group, and One Iowa, an LGBTQ advocacy organization, collectively spent almost $25,000 in the Ankeny and Johnston races.

Financials for the Ankeny Republican PAC weren’t available yet, but the group provided campaign materials and other support to conservative candidates in the Ankeny School Board race. In the 2021 cycle, the PAC spent about $10,000 to help conservatives sweep city and school races.

Based on available reports, here’s how much candidates and outside groups spent on this year’s school board races in Ankeny and Johnston, respectively:

ANKENY

Total cash raised and/or spent: *$55,549.46 

Candidate: Nick Bourne

Total cash contributions: $845

In-kind contributions: $0

Expenses: $701.39

Candidate: Katie Claeys

Total cash contributions: $3,260

In-kind contributions: $302.50

Expenses: $2,557.02

Independent expenditure in support: $3,660, Alliance for a Better Iowa

Candidate: Stephanie Gott

Total cash contributions: $3,535

In-kind contributions: $880

Expenses: $1,712.27

Candidate: Amy Guidry

Total cash contributions: $3,951

In-kind contributions: $1,059.27

Expenses: $3,233.63

Candidate: Christian Holtz

Total cash contributions: $0

In-kind contributions: $0

Expenses: $0

Candidate: Shelly Northway

Total cash contributions: $19,756.99

In-kind contributions: $76.50

Expenses: $14,985.65

Independent expenditure in support: $3,660, Alliance for a Better Iowa; $2,500, One Iowa

Candidate: Joshua Palik

Total cash contributions: $2,725

In-kind contributions:$1,000

Expenses: $1,978.09

Candidate: Amber Romans

Total cash contributions: $2,080

In-kind contributions: $0

Expenses: $2,001.04

Candidate: Amy Tagliareni

Total cash contributions: $6,696.47

In-kind contributions: $602.50

Expenses: $1,703.98

Independent expenditure in support: $3,660, Alliance for a Better Iowa

Candidate: Ryan Weldon

Total cash contributions: $2,340

In-kind contributions: $0

Expenses: $2,340

(*$55,549.46 without the Ankeny Republicans PAC included. The PAC provided support to Nick Bourne, Stephanie Gott, Amy Guidry, Joshua Palik, Ryan Weldon, but because it is registered as a state political action committee, it has a different disclosure deadline.)

JOHNSTON

Total cash raised and/or spent: **$90,113.50

Candidate: Jason Arnold

Total cash contributions: $10,387.82

In-kind contributions: $0

Expenses: $6,050.21

Independent expenditure in support: $2,192.50, Alliance For A Better Iowa; $800, One Iowa

Candidate: **Jennifer Chamberland (Chamberland did not file a statement of organization for her campaign).

Total cash contributions: 

In-kind contributions:

Expenses:

Independent expenditure in support: $2,192.50, Alliance for a Better Iowa

Candidate: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher

Total cash contributions: $5,879.23

In-kind contributions: $0

Expenses: $3,330.68

Independent expenditure in support: $2,192.50, Alliance for a Better Iowa; $800, One Iowa

Candidate: Josh Nelson

Total cash contributions: $4,831. 31

In-kind contributions: $1,263.38

Expenses: $4,183.71

Independent expenditure in support: $1,613.53, The Family Leader (10/12/2023); $1,613.53, The Family Leader (10/25/2023) 

Candidate: Charles Steele

Total cash contributions: $5,158.17

In-kind contributions: $1,199.62

Expenses: $4,543.91

Independent expenditure in support: $1,613.53, The Family Leader (10/12/2023), $1,613.53, The Family Leader (10/25/2023) 

Candidate: Lori Stiles

Total cash contributions: $7,040.35

In-kind contributions: $1,099.50

Expenses: $5,190.78

Independent expenditure in support: $1,613.53, The Family Leader (10/12/2023), $1,613.53; The Family Leader (10/25/2023) 

Candidate: Michelle Veach

Total cash contributions: $9,512.76

In-kind contributions: $1,099.50

Expenses: $8,907.37

Independent expenditure in support: $1,613.53, The Family Leader (10/12/2023); $1,613.53, The Family Leader (10/25/2023) 

Candidate: Lya Williams

Total cash contributions: $16,030.62

In-kind contributions: $0

Expenses: $14,410.52

Independent expenditure in support: $2,192.50, Alliance For A Better Iowa, $800, One Iowa

Political Action Committee: Johnston Public Schools Supporters

Total cash contributions: $7,196

In-kind contributions: $0

Expenses: $5,363.55