Campaign finance reports show many Oktibbeha County candidates have not received any campaign contributions since the last reporting period. But while other races have slowed, funding in the sheriff’s race has continued to grow.
The second round of campaign finance reports for June 1 through June 30 were due July 10. Candidates are required to itemize any donation or expenditure greater than $200.
The biggest dollar race is still the sheriff’s race, with Republican Shank Phelps and Democrat John Rice raising more than $26,000 for their campaigns since the beginning of the year. Phelps reported $19,800 in contributions total, while Rice reported $6,956 in contributions total.
Since the last reporting period, Phelps has raised $7,500, with contributions of $500 from Butch Brown, Russ and Shelly Huddleston, Frank and Wendy Brewer, Mickey Montgomery and Michael Dunlap, $300 from Perry and Ramona Green and $250 from Steven and Linda Langston and Harry and Ann Bell and $4,200 non-itemized.
Rice reported only $200 in new contributions this period with one donation from Tyrone Ellis.
Primary elections are Aug. 8, and the general election is Nov. 7.
District 1 supervisor
Ben Carver, a Republican and current Starkville alderman for Ward 1, reported no new contributions or spending for this reporting period, with $3,950 in contributions year-to-date.
Republican Sammy Wade Jones reported no new contributions or spending during this reporting period. His campaign has been self-funded thus far, totaling $2,152.
Republican Ed Whitehurst reported no contributions for the year and $3,925 in spending this period, totaling $4,451 in spending this year.
Republican Greg Fulgham did not file a report by deadline.
Democrat Ronnie Clardy reported no campaign contributions and no spending so far this year.
Democrat Erik Young filed a termination report during the May reporting period. At that time, Young told The Dispatch he is not withdrawing from the race but is instead planning to self-fund his campaign.
District 4 supervisor
Pattie Little reported no new contributions since the last reporting period, with her campaign raising $7,143 since the beginning of the year.
Her opponent, Austin Check, also reported no new contributions this reporting period. Check’s campaign has been entirely self-funded thus far, totaling $1,831 in contributions this year.
Both candidates are Republicans.
District 5 supervisor
Republican Les Lindley is still leading fundraising totals for the District 5 supervisor seat, despite reporting no new contributions since the last reporting period and only reporting $200 in contributions since the beginning of the year.
Democrat Walter James Stewart reported no contributions and $65 in spending in this reporting period. He has reported no contributions so far and $1,231 in spending.
Republican Anthony Watt and Democrat Joe Williams did not file a report by the deadline.
District 1 constable
Republican Kenneth Watkins is still in the lead in contributions in the constable race, despite reporting no new contributions and $12 in spending in the last reporting period. Watkins has reported $3,250 in contributions and $2,314 in spending total this year.
Republican candidate Joe Morse reported no contributions this period and $1,517 in spending, bringing him to a total of $220 in contributions and $4,210 in spending for the year.
Republican Shannon Williams reported $224 in non-itemized contributions this period and the same amount of spending, with $1,743 total contributions so far.
Democrat William Ford reported no contributions and $997 in spending this period. His year-to-date totals are the same.
District 3 constable
Democrat Ronald Hannah reported $200 in non-itemized contributions during this reporting period, putting his year to date total at $3,561.
Republican candidate James Lindsey reported no contributions in this reporting period and $1,337 in spending. His year-to-date totals are the same.
Tax assessor
Current District 1 supervisor and Republican candidate John Montgomery reported no new contributions. His year-to-date contributions total is $1,109.
Johelen Walker, a Democrat, reported a $500 contribution from George Sills during this reporting period. Her year-to-date contributions total is $1,072.
District 3 justice court judge
Incumbent Democrat C. Marty Haug reported no new contributions this period and $2,500 in total contributions this year.
Republican Brian Michael Lindner reported no new contributions and $250 in contributions this year.
Republican Will McNeel reported no contributions or spending for the year.
Non-competitive races
Chancery Court Clerk Sharon Livington; Circuit Court Clerk Tony Rook; District 2 Constable Curtis D. Randle; Coroner Michael Hunt; County Attorney Haley Brown; District 2 Election Commissioner Sissy Smitherman; District 4 Election Commissioner Dave Holley; District 1 Justice Court Judge William Anton “Tony” Boykin; District 2 Justice Court Judge Larnzy Carpenter; District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer; and District 3 Supervisor Marvell Howard are all running unopposed.
Failure to submit
Candidates who did not submit campaign finance reports as of Thursday morning include
Democrat Michael Hunt, coroner (unopposed); Republican Anthony Watt, Justice Court Judge District 1 (unopposed); Democrat Joe Williams, District 5 supervisor; Republican Greg Fulgham, District 1 supervisor.
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