None of the candidates in this year's election will be breaking their piggy banks to pay for their campaigns.

But one donation to a South Point mayoral candidate is raising some eyebrows.

According to campaign finance statements filed with the Lawrence County Board of Elections, only four people seeking office in the Tuesday general election have spent enough money

to warrant filing a pre-election report. All candidates must submit a post-election report.

Ohio law requires candidates who spend more than $1,000

to file a pre-election report.

According to a pre-election campaign finance statement filed by South Point mayoral candidate Chadd Hatfield, Biomass Energy LLC is listed as having donated $3,000 to that candidate's campaign.

While Ohio law prohibits businesses that operate in Ohio from contributing to political campaigns, this contribution is legal because Biomass is a limited liability company (LLC), said Mary Wipert, director of the Lawrence County Board of Elections.

Wipert said that every candidate is given a book with all of the laws pertaining to campaigns and elections at the time they file for candidacy, and all candidates should read the book and be aware of campaign laws.

According to page 10 of this book and Ohio Revised Code 3599.03, Hatfield said, legal and professional organizations and LLCs are allowed to make contributions. Before receiving the contribution, he said he contacted the Ohio Secretary of State's office to double check.

"I would never do anything unethical," he said Saturday.

Biomass CEO Mark Harris said Friday that he did not recall details of the contribution.

"I know we made a contribution to him, but I'm not sure if it is a personal contribution or if it came from a corporate account," Harris said.

In the Ironton mayoral race, the Committee to Elect John Elam showed contributions of $2,506.86, all of which has been used to cover advertising and other expenses, according to documents filed Oct. 23 with the board of elections.

Incumbent Mayor Bob Cleary took in $7,825.00 on contributions and spent $5,133.85, leaving the mayor more than $2,600 to spend on his campaign.

The Committee to Elect David Lindsey took in $2,700 in contributions, and spent $2,528.45, according to papers filed Oct. 10. Lindsey is seeking election to the Fairland Board of Education.