The race for Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District representative has more than $1.6 million being thrown around.
Eleven of the 13 candidates who hope to replace late U.S. Representative Alan Nunnelee raised that much in campaign fundraising through March 31, according to the Federal Election Commission’s website. Of the $1.6 million-plus raised, roughly $775,000 comes from money candidates have either loaned or donated to their own campaigns.
A non-partisan special election is set for May 12.
Tupelo attorney Greg Pirkle has posted the most contributions with $256,646. That total includes $100,000 he loaned his campaign out-of-pocket.
“We are all tired of career politicians and lobbyists running for office. They’re the people that have gotten us in the pickle we’re in,” Pirkle said in an email statement to The Dispatch on Thursday. “That’s why folks from 18 counties in North Mississippi have come forward to invest in our campaign to send a conservative outsider to Washington. I’ve spent my career fighting the IRS and government bureaucrats on behalf of families and small businesses. Thanks to their help, we have the resources to win this seat and fight for North Mississippi families in Congress.”
North Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert of Starkville reported $246,760 in contributions for the first quarter of 2015, according to the Federal Election Commission’s website. All of that came from individual or business contributions.
“We’re very pleased with our effort, and we’re humbled by the support for our campaign,” Tagert told The Dispatch. “I think it reflects the momentum of the campaign … I don’t have the ability to loan myself money for the campaign, as some of the other candidates, I think, are doing. All of ours is earned the old fashioned way, I’m afraid.”
Two Columbus businessmen in the race, Boyce Adams and Sam Adcock, ranked near the top of the pack in terms of first-quarter contributions. Both also reported substantial loans to their respective campaigns.
Adams reported $228,405 in total contributions, including $77,997 from private donors and $150,408 in candidate loans. Adcock, who reported $185,173 in first-quarter contributions, received $65,173 from donations and $120,000 from candidate loans.
Other candidate contributions include:
■ State Sen. Nancy Adams-Collins of Tupelo, $13,680;
■ Edward Troy Holliday, dentist of Tupelo, $115,740 that includes $100,000 in candidate loans;
■ Starner Jones, physician of Pontotoc, $227,751 that includes $200,000 in candidate loans;
■ Trent Kelly, district attorney for the 1st Circuit Court district, $95,369;
■ Michael P. “Chip” Mills Jr., attorney of Fulton, $101,350 that includes $30,000 in candidate donations;
■ Henry Ross, former Eupora mayor, $84,341 that includes $75,271 from candidate donations; and
■ Quentin Whitwell, former Jackson councilman, $95,515.
The FEC website did not have contribution information posted for Oxford attorney Daniel Sparks or Pontotoc attorney Walter Zinn Jr. as of press time.
The 1st Congressional District includes a wide swath of north Mississippi, from Desoto County to the Golden Triangle.
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Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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