MLA Dan Ashton won election in Penticton with well funded campaign

PENTICTON – If you believe it takes money to win a seat in the provincial legislature, recently released campaign spending data from the May 9 provincial election just might prove you right.

According to campaign expense and contribution disclosure information from the Penticton riding’s three candidates, B.C. Liberal Dan Ashton spent just over $100,300 to win the riding, garnering 14,470 votes, while B.C. NDP candidate Tarik Sayeed, who place second, spent about $75,100 and received 7,874 votes.

B.C. Green Party candidate Connie Sahlmark spent about $4,800 and garnered 5,061 votes.

Ashton’s campaign was partially funded through corporate donations totalling just over $42,900.

Barefoot Beach Resort, of which Penticton City Councillor Max Picton is president, was the largest corporate contributor with a donation of $7,000 to Ashton's campaign.

Other corporate donations to Ashton include Appel Estates and Argo Road Maintenance at $2,500 each, Inland Contracting at $4,500, Siva Construction at $4,000, Cendek Railings at $5,000 and Simple Pursuits at $2,862.98.

Neither the NDP or Greens received corporate donations.

Ashton’s campaign spent roughly $18,900 on newsletters and promotional advertising, while Sayeed invested about $5,500 in the same category. Sahlmark spent a little over $1,900 on newsletters and promotional material.

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