Yard signs, newspaper ads and bumper stickers are some of the candidates’ favorite things.

But as the most recent campaign spending forms show, they don’t come cheap.

The three top vote-getters in the Republican Party Primary’s sheriff race have spent nearly $45,000 so far — at least $30,000 from their own bank accounts. The final spending totals won’t be available for several more weeks.

Cherokee County Chief Deputy Joel Hill, who finished third, was the top spender at $17,644.04. Of that total, $12,000 came from the candidate’s personal funds. He also raised the most money, $19,725.

During this disclosure period, he poured $5,000 of his own funds into his campaign, while Douglas Wilson was his top contributor at $500.

During the latest disclosure period, Hill spent nearly $2,500 for newspaper ads and nearly $3,000 to help blanket the area with yard signs.

Former captain of the county’s Narcotics Unit, Richard Burgess, the top vote-getter who will face former South Carolina Highway Patrol First Sgt. Steve Mueller in a runoff, also had some deep pockets, spending $13,533.99 — $6,387.43 of which was his own money. He still has about $300 in his coffers after taking in $13,812 in contributions.

During this disclosure period, Burgess poured in $2,400 of his own money and received a $750 contribution from businessman Alan McEntire. Johnny Roberts and Mary Rollins each contributed $500 to his campaign.

Burgess spent $4,610 during this period on political ads in newspapers and a magazine, signs, T-shirts and a booth at the Sheriff’s Ride for the Relay.

Mueller has spent $13,292 so far. Not surprisingly, most of the money has been spent on print ads. But he also spent $230 for a campaign dinner at Aegean Pizza.

The latest spending form shows that Mueller has spent a far greater percentage of his own money on his campaign than his rivals.

Of the $13,907.83 raised by his campaign so far, $12,382.83 has come from his personal funds.

JOEL HILL

Amount Raised: $19,725 Amount Spent: $17,644.04

RICHARD BURGESS

Amount Raised: $13,812

Amount Spent: $13,533.99

STEVE MUELLER Amount Raised: $13,907.83

Amount Spent: $13,292