Political signs dominate the windows at the Kosciusko County Republican Headquarters in downtown Warsaw.

WARSAW — Mayor Joe Thallemer has maintained a significant financial advantage against Republican challenger Ron Shoemaker two weeks before the primary election.

Thallemer, seeking a third term in office, built up a large amount of money last year and has retained a large amount of cash on hand.

Shoemaker, a first-term city councilman, began fundraising this year and has used much of the money he collected.

Joe Thallemer

According to campaign finance reports that were released Monday, Thallemer began the reporting period on Jan. 1 with $34,047 and has $24,239 in cash on hand.

Shoemaker began the year with $109 but has collected $13,408 this year. He has $1,579 in cash on hand, according to the paperwork.

Many of Thallemer’s biggest contributors last year were contractors and companies that do business with the city, which is legal.

Some of Thallemer’s donations included $1,000 from Wessler Engineering of Indianapolis; $1,000 from Barnes and Thornburg, an Indianapolis law firm; and $500 from DLZ Engineering of Indianapolis.

Local businesses supporting Thallemer included Precision Medical Technologies, $200; WishBone Medical, $200; and Robinson Construction, $300.

Ron Shoemaker

Much of Shoemaker’s support has come from a handful of people who have had differences of opinion with city officials.

Shoemaker’s biggest monetary supporter is Sheal Dirck, treasurer for the Kosciusko County Fair Board, which has been critical of Thallemer in regards to the ongoing lawsuit between the fairgrounds and a group of nearby homeowners over motorized racing at the fairgrounds.

Some racetrack fans view Thallemer as a supporter of the plaintiffs who want to reinstate a ban on racing. Thallemer lives on Winona Lake near the fairgrounds. Thallemer has said he’s made a point to be neutral on the issue.

Shoemaker has also gained financial support from Ashley Finney, who is affiliated with Quick Clean Laundry. Finney opposed sewer rate hikes established by the city in the past two years. Contributions included $1,000 from Finney and $500 from Quick Clean.

Jon Fussle, a leader of the Warsaw Flying Club, and two other family members donated a total of $3,800 to Shoemaker. The flying club faced criticisms in 2017 over an event at the airport that raised concerns for the aviation board.