Whether a mayoral candidate is new to the political arena or their current situation makes their name a household word, it appears their election spending, whether a few hundred dollars ”“ or a few thousand ”“ depends on the candidate and their personal style and sometimes, the nature of the race.

Whatever the case, most election spending ”“ so far ”“ in three mayoral races in central York County appears to be on the modest side, at least in this initial campaign finance reporting period.

In Sanford, where voters will elect a mayor for the first time in the history of the community Nov. 5, the three candidates together have spent less than $2,500 for the reporting period.

In Biddeford, mayoral election spending by three candidates totals less than $2,000 through Oct. 23.

In Saco, spending by one mayoral candidate, Don Pilon, has been more robust ”“ $7,000 so far ”“ while his opponent, David Tripp, has spent $850.

The 11-day pre-election campaign reporting forms were due in at city clerk’s office in Biddeford, Saco and Sanford by the close of business Friday, Oct. 25, and accounts for spending through Oct. 23. A 42-day post election report that includes all election spending from Oct. 24 is due Dec. 17.

Here’s how the figures shake out: In Sanford, mayoral candidate Bradford Littlefield raised the most, about $1,000, through Oct. 23 and spent $900. Thomas Cote raised and spent $930, according to campaign finance reports, while Richard Stanley spent $277.

In Biddeford, City Clerk Carmen Morris said candidate Joanne Twomey filed an exemption because she doesn’t intend to spend any money on the campaign. Candidate Perry Aberle spent $115 through Oct. 23, while incumbent Mayor Alan Casavant spent about $1,680.

“(Spending) depends on the candidate and the situation,” said Morris, who said both Casavant and Twomey spent more money in the 2011 election for mayor, when the possibility of a racino peppered the political landscape.

In Saco, Pilon, who has the distinction of spending the most of any of the mayoral candidates in the three cities so far, said Tripp, his opponent, has been a councilor for years.

“I’m the underdog” in the race, said Pilon, whose previous races have been for state representative and senator. “Maybe I’m more sophisticated at running a campaign and don’t take anything for granted.”

Pilon said he’s hired a consultant to handle social media, freeing him up to campaign door to door.

Randy Seaver of Biddeford is a political consultant by trade who said he’s helping Casavant in his bid for re-election for free, as a friend. He estimated Casavant raised an estimated $10,000 in the 2011 mayoral race and spent almost all of it. This time, he’s spent a fraction of that, he said.

And, noting Pilon’s campaign spending across the river in Saco, Seaver commented that campaign costs can add up “really fast.”

Twomey said she agreed to run when approached by citizens, but said she isn’t spending any money and isn’t sure if she’ll put out some old campaign signs she has stored in her garage.

“I’m running on what I have done for this city ”¦ it is a test to see if people can recognize what people do,” she said.

She urged voters to do their homework: read newspapers and watch reruns of the mayoral debates on television.

Stanley, in Sanford, said he didn’t solicit any campaign contributions and spent $277, mostly on signs. He said his job as Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce president makes him visible in the community on a daily basis. His task, he said, wasn’t to introduce himself to the community, but to let people know he is running.

Littlefield, a long-time Sanford city councilor, said he invested in signs and social media. “Even though people may know who you are, you have to show the citizens you’re interested, and that’s what signs do,” he said.

Cote said he spent most of his campaign contributions on signs to earn name recognition. He said times are tight in Sanford, and so while people contributed to his campaign, he had no expectations of accumulating a heftier war chest.

Saco Mayor Mark Johnston ”“ who isn’t in the running this time ”“ said back in the 1970s when he first ran for office, he mounted a write-in campaign. He said he’s spent as little as $500 on campaigns and as much as $1,000. Johnston said he made signs out of plywood, the old-fashioned way, recycled them race to race, knocked on doors and talked to citizens at their homes, and at every opportunity ”“ such as community festivals and other, similar events.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].