Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Report - Jan 1-Mar 31

Over the past year - both as I’ve been running and in conversations with other candidates - I’ve noticed a pattern that doesn’t sit right with me. There’s a quiet game some campaigns play where they wait until the very last day to file their campaign contribution and expenditure (C&E) report, as if holding onto that information creates some kind of advantage. For this reporting period - January 1 through March 31, 2026 - candidates have until April 15 to file with the Secretary of State. On paper, that deadline makes sense. In practice, it often becomes a tool for delay rather than a standard for accountability.

The reality is that many campaigns already have everything they need to file immediately after the reporting period closes. With modern systems, transactions are tracked electronically, categorized in real time, and readily accessible. That raises a simple question: if the information is already organized and available, why wait the extra two weeks to share it with the public? There’s no clear strategic benefit, and from a voter’s perspective, it can feel like unnecessary withholding. Transparency delayed is still transparency, but it’s not transparency at its best.

This isn’t a criticism of new candidates who are learning the process for the first time. Everyone starts somewhere, and understanding campaign finance reporting can take time without the right guidance. I was fortunate to have someone walk me through it early on, and that made a difference. But once those systems are in place, filing becomes straightforward. At that point, delaying submission stops being about learning and starts looking more like a choice.

For me, the choice was simple. On April 1 at 10:10 a.m., I submitted my C&E report to the Secretary of State because I had the information and it was ready to go. I didn’t need the extra 15 days, so I didn’t take them. That decision reflects how I believe public service should work - if something can be done efficiently and transparently, it should be. It’s a small action, but it’s also a window into how someone approaches responsibility and accountability.

I encourage every candidate, in every race, to file their reports as soon as they’re ready. Doing so is transparent, pro-voter, and demonstrates preparedness in a way that voters can actually see. It shows respect for the people we’re asking to trust us with public office. These reports aren’t just compliance documents - they’re a direct line of accountability to the public. Treating them that way should be the standard, not the exception.

While my report has been filed, it may take a few days to update my public financial transparency dashboard, and I appreciate your patience as that gets finalized. Even though dashboards like that aren’t required, I believe they should be more common across campaigns. The more accessible we make this information, the stronger trust becomes between candidates and the communities they want to represent. If you have questions or want to talk, I’m always available by email at hunter@sparkstogether.com or by text or call at (775) 300-9113.