His budget ran to $29,894 and the biggest chunk of that was swallowed up in his newspaper advertising campaign ($23,411).
Annette Main was focused solely on retaining the mayoralty she won in 2010. She spent $14,562, again with the bulk on advertising, and it was enough to gain a second term.
Jenny Duncan was a new face in the election and she was not afraid to open the chequebook either. Her outlay of $8878 was effective because she got on to both council and the WDHB.
But for two of the candidates, budgeting big did not cut the mustard with the voters.
Allan Anderson's election expenses totalled $10,143. His campaign saw him re-elected to the health board but he dipped out on retaining his council seat.
Rory Smith was another keen to snare a district council seat but even spending $7957 was not enough.
Ian Hamilton was another not afraid to spend on his campaign for the district health board but his $5185 did not get him over the line, either.
While some candidates made significant financial commitment to their electioneering only to miss out, there were a handful who didn't spend a bean yet they got home in a canter.
District councillor Ray Stevens spent nothing but got back on both the council and the health board. Sue Westwood ($528) and Jack Bullock ($1000) kept their expenses to a minimum and held their council seats.
Another newcomer, Jason Granville, was among those who didn't open his wallet, yet he came within 81 votes of finding himself at the big dance.
Others were not going to mortgage the farm with their campaigns, but for some, spending little counted for even less. Randhir Dahya had been a district councillor for 21 years but his $965 budget did not do it for him.
Candidates must declare donations of more than $1500 and as none declared, there is no way of knowing what other financial support they enjoyed.
Two candidates failed to get their returns in by Wednesday's deadline but one, rural community board candidate Matthew Collins, caught up yesterday afternoon. He had no declarations to make.
But Shirley-Joy Barrow, who challenged for a seat at council, will be getting a formal letter from the Wanganui electoral officer Noeline Moosman because she has breached that deadline.
Even though Ms Barrow was not successful, regulations demand she file a return. Failing to supply a return can bring a fine of not more than $1000.
The full list of spending returns for the October local body elections as of yesterday afternoon:
Wanganui District Council
Graham Adams $2500
Allan Anderson $10,143*
Charlie Anderson $2500
Philippa Baker-Hogan $2184*
Ian Brougham $206
Glenda Brown $2074
Jack Bullock $1000
Cherry Channon $2500
Helen Craig $2233
Rhandir Dahya $965
Jenny Duncan $8878*
Colin Fergus $1032
Jason Granville nil
Peter Hackett $760
Ian Harrex $1318
Jango $80
Russell Johns $248
Bevan Johnston $390
John Keating $1204
Gordon Lambert nil
Michael Laws $29,894*
Annette Main $14,562
Hamish McDouall $1890
Ross Mictehll-Anyon $2099
Graem Pate $900
James Penn $26
Robert Scott $628
Ray Stevens nil
Garth Scown $1345
Rory Smith $7957
Rob Vinsen $4645
Martin Visser $2233
Rana Waitai nil
Bob Walker $2500
Sue Westwood $528
Rangi Wills $3284
Rural Community Board
Bill Ashworth nil
Andy Collins nil
Matthew Collins nil
David Matthews nil
Darrell Monk nil
Erin Reeve nil
Allan Taylor nil
Whanganui District Health Board
Helen Capel nil
Ian Hamilton $5185
Malcolm Hunt $1474
Kate Joblkin $1750
Russell Johns
Judith MacDonald $1798
Shirley McDouall $1617
Angela Stratton nil
Denise Wallen $439
*Denotes candidates who also stood for the WDHB
