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Back when Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign was struggling and he was running out of money in the primaries, David Lupfer of Norfolk decided to help out the Arizona Republican.

He sent him a check for $250 and has followed that with a few more, giving a total of $700, according to campaign finance Web sites.

Lupfer said he decided to back McCain financially because he agreed with him on some issues, but also because he did not like the prospect of a Democrat like Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama getting elected.

He said he questions Clinton's character and believes Obama is too inexperienced for the White House.

Lipfer said he has given to Republicans candidates in the past, "but this is the first time I've gone this high," because he is so concerned about the outcome of the election. "I do believe John McCain has the experience and the character that make him much more qualified," he said.

But, David Egilman, who runs a occupational health consulting firm in Attleboro, looks at McCain and sees someone who will continue the policies of President George W. Bush.

Egilman said he is so worried about the situation, he has donated $2,300 to Obama and may give more.

"I did it due to the past eight years we have gotten a war that is a mess and an economy that is a mess. McCain offers more of the same - if not worse. I don't think you could screw things up worse if you tried," he said.

Egilman and Lipfer are among scores of local voters who are willing to support their candidates at the ballot box and through the wallet.

They range from larger donors like New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who donated $2,300 to McCain after contributing to former Gov. Mitt Romney in the primaries, to local voters who have given a few dollars.

Some of the larger McCain donors include John Walsh of Attleboro, $950; Helen Cleary of Norfolk, $800; and Joseph Jianos of Foxboro, $2,000.

Big Obama contributors include William Wieners of Attleboro, $2,900; Linda Sohn of Mansfield, $850; and Janice Panoff of North Attleboro, $625.

The figures came from Web sites that monitor campaign finances, such as the New York Times, but some of the numbers may not be up to date.

The reasons local residents give for contributing vary. Andrew Latto of Foxboro said he considers his donation to Obama similar to giving money to charity. He said his aim is to make the country better.

Latto said he was first attracted to Obama four years ago when the Illinois Democrat made the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

"I said, 'Here's someone who is a smart guy, who expresses himself well, and who the whole country can get behind,' " he said of Obama.

Latto said when Obama started running for president, he found himself agreeing with the senator's views on the economy and the war in Iraq, so he decided to contribute.

Egilman said he helped Obama because he believes the candidate has a world view that helps him understand what other countries think of the United States, adding that he also admires that Obama became an community organizer in Chicago after graduating from Harvard Law School.

For others, the reasons are more basic.

Edgar Bristol of Foxboro said he contributed to McCain because "he's a solid person."

JIM HAND covers politics for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0399 or at jhand@thesunchronicle.com.