Going into the 2012 Primary Election, candidates for local offices in Hillsborough County raised a combined $2.46 million in contributions, of which all but about $55,000 was in monetary donations, according to a Brandon Patch analysis of the latest campaign finance reports filed with the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office.

The lesser amount was for "in-kind" contributions, such as the use of a rental space for a fundraising event or a donation of food and coffee for a meet-the-candidate luncheon.

How much did the candidates spend?

Based on the latest campaign finance report filings, going into the Aug. 14 primary election, the candidates overall (including those who withdrew before the primary) reported spending $1.43 million.

Who were the biggest fundraisers — and the biggest spenders?

Two candidates raised almost $250,000 each.

Incumbent Republican Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee raised $248,945 in monetary donations. He faces only one opponent — Robert O. "Grumpy Bob" Wirengard, a write-in candidate (WRI) — who has reported raising and spending no campaign finances.

Incumbent Democrat Kevin Beckner, running for reelection to his District 6 seat on the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, raised $224,977.22 in monetary donations. He is the sole Democrat in a race against two Republicans — Margaret Iuculano and Don Kruse. To date, Beckner has spent $52,311.97.

Who spent the most?

That would be Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist, running as a Republican for reelection to his District 2 seat. He faces one challenger, Republican Sharon Calvert, who spent $15,489.18 of the $20,562.44 she raised in monetary and in-kind contributions. As for Crist, he spent $109,229.44 of the $130,220.99 he raised.

Because there are no other challengers in the race, the District 2 seat will be determined with the Aug. 14 primary election ballots. The district covers some sections of the Greater Brandon community.

Florida is a closed-primary state, which means only voters registered with a political party can vote in that party's primary election.

Collectively, Calvert and Crist raised $150,783.43 in monetary and in-kind contributions, which falls short of the $167,617.97 raised by Nancy Jacobs and Matt Lucas in their race for County Court Judge, Group 12. Jacobs and Lucas, the race's only candidates, each raised just under $83,000 in monetary contributions alone.

Close behind is the $156,691.05 raised by Herbert M. Berkowitz, in his uncontested race for County Court Judge, Group 2.

For more on the campaign finances of candidates in local races, see the chart below, based on a Brandon Patch analysis of campaign finances reported on the Web site of the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office. The office's online report includes as well supervisor races for community governance entities, such as the FishHawk Community Development District.