More than $23,000 has been poured so far into the four-man race for Lowndes County sheriff, according to campaign finance reports submitted by Friday’s deadline.
Chief Deputy Greg Wright, a Republican, leads the way with $11,378 in contributions, none of it his own money. He’s spent $6,187, Wright’s reports says, leaving him with $5,190.20 on-hand.
Eddie Hawkins, a Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics investigator, has raised and spent $5,882.78 in the race, including $2,782.78 of his own money. Rick Jones, former Lowndes County jail administrator who now works for Columbus Police Department, reported $5,265.34 in contributions, including $1,120.34 from himself, and also has no cash on-hand.
Both Hawkins and Jones are Republicans and will face-off in an August primary.
Independent Anthony Nelson, also a CPD officer, has raised and spent $497.73, contributing $372.73 himself and getting $125 from Robinson Janitorial Specialist. He will face the Republican primary winner in November’s general election.
Among Wright’s donors are sitting sheriff Mike Arledge, who decided not to run for re-election, and retired chancery judge Kenneth Burns. Others include Greg Rader, Robert Cooper, Richard Spann, C.B. “Butch” Howard, Bill Russell, Joe Young and McCrary-West Construction. He also received $4,328 in non-itemized donations, which are individuals who gave less than $200 and did not have to be listed.
Hawkins has received funds from Mary Thompson, Teresa E. Thompson, Cynthia E. McGee, Royce Ann Butler and Incognito Investigations LLC.
Jones’ contributors include former district attorney Forrest Allgood, as well as Ida Belle Ables, Terri Songer, Roger Murray and James Hunt.
Of the 35 candidates seeking county office this election cycle, 25 submitted their campaign contribution forms to the Lowndes County Circuit Clerk’s Office by Friday’s deadline. Those reports showed a total of nearly $46,000 in contributions so far.
Chancery court clerk race
Jessica Lancaster Pierce appears to lead the field in fundraising in the four-person chancery court clerk race, posting $5,420 by Friday’s deadline compared to Cindy Egger Goode’s $4,796.
Pierce, a former deputy clerk, and Goode, a current deputy clerk, will face each other in the Republican primary.
A third Republican, Andre D. Roberts, did not file his report by the deadline, nor did Democratic candidate and Columbus councilman Joseph Mickens.
Pierce reported contributions from John Bowen and Theigh Crosby, as well as $1,645 in non-itemized donations and $775.66 in self-contributions.
Goode received financial backing from sitting clerk Lisa Younger Neese, who is retiring at the end of the year, as well as Weekends Plus Urgent Care, Lawrence and Ina Walters, Dean Brock, Brent and Courtney Teague, and $2,196 in non-itemized donations.
Piece has spent all her funds raised so far, while Goode has $445.91 on-hand.
Contested supervisor races
In the District 1 supervisor race, independent Steve Pyle has outraised Republican incumbent Harry Sanders by a $1,006.43 to $250 margin. Both candidates reported all funds as self-contributions.
Nicolas “Trip” Hairston leads fundraising in the District 2 supervisor race by a $1,323.43 to $987.44 margin over Clarence Berry. Hairston spent $1,003.43 of his own and received donations from Fred Hayslett, Mrs. Bill Ford and Bobby Marshall. Berry’s are all self-contributions.
Hairston and Berry are Republicans. The Democrat in the race, Oliver Miller, did not submit his report by the deadline.
In District 3, Democrat Tim Heard has spent $313.38 of his own money, while Republican incumbent John Holliman reported $0 collected or spent.
For District 5, incumbent Democrat Leroy Brooks did not submit a report by the deadline, while independent challenger Marty Turner reported $0 raised or spent.
Other races
Republican incumbent Greg Andrews has raised $1,999 in his re-election bid as tax assessor/collector. His donors include Glenn Machine Works, Chuck Trenary and $699 listed as non-itemized.
His opponent, Republican Sherman Vaughn, did not submit a report by Friday’s deadline.
Former Caledonia marshal Ben Kilgore has outraised incumbent Chris Hemphill by a $1,400 to $1,280.88 margin in the race for District 2 Justice Court judge.
Kilgore’s contributions are non-itemized. Hemphill, on the other hand, has spent $1,180.88 of his own, while a committee to elect him — with Rissa Lawrence listed as the contact — has raised $100.
Both are Republicans.
For District 1 constable, Democrat Jake Humbers has outraised Republican Randy Robles by a $1,454.62 to $1,276.35 clip.
Humbers has spent $1,062.62 of his own money and reported $477 in non-itemized contributions. Robles has spent $826.35 of his own funds, while raising $450 reported as non-itemized.
For District 2 constable, David Spence Wallingford reported $1,032.76 in contributions, $872.76 of his own and $160 non-itemized.
Republican Chris Griffin did not submit a report by the deadline.
Steve Wallace, a Republican, was the only one of three candidates running for county prosecuting attorney to submit a report by the deadline. He reported spending $292.11 of his own.
Republican Corky Smith and Democrat William Starks failed to submit reports on time.
Unopposed candidates Teresa Barksdale, circuit clerk; Jeff Smith, District 4 supervisor; Ron Cooke, District 2 Justice Court judge; and Peggy Phillips, District 3 Justice Court judge all submitted reports of $0 raised or spent.
Both Greg Merchant, who is running unopposed for coroner, and Sonny Sanders, running unopposed for District 3 constable, did not submit a report on time.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 44 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.