The four people running for Rapid City Council this year have spent about $4,500 during this year's low-key campaigns, according to pre-election finance reports filed at the city finance office this week.

In Ward 2, Russell Oubre had spent slightly less than $700 for advertising and printing costs in his challenge to incumbent Sam Kooiker; he raised about $619 in donations and about $85 in personal funds.

Kooiker, on the other hand, had raised $4,151 and reported expenditures of about $3,575. Oubre reported having about $10.70 left with less than a week to go before the June 3 election. Kooiker had slightly more than $700 remaining.

The candidates in Ward 1 have been more frugal. Patti Martinson reported raising $507 and spent $393 on her campaign against long-time incumbent Tom Johnson.

Johnson had raised about $1,100 but had not spent any of it at the time he filed his report. By comparison, last year at this, time the 21 candidates seeking city office had raised and spent about $175,000. Four of the eight mayoral candidates alone reported nearly $148,000 on their finance reports last year, and about $25,600 was reported by 11 city council candidates.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 3.

Winners of the two-year terms take office beginning July 7.

Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415 or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com