Four candidates vying in Columbus’ municipal elections have raised nearly $32,500, according to campaign finance reports submitted to the city.
Mayor Robert Smith, who is running for his third full term in office, has raised more than half of that total, even though he has not reported any new campaign contributions since an April 25 reporting deadline before the May 2 Democratic primary election.
At the time, Smith had raised $19,550. His May 30 finance report shows the same total, with no campaign contributions in the last five weeks. The report shows $3,553.62 in expenditures for the period.
In total, Smith has spent $12,017.12 on his campaign. Smith’s report shows his campaign still has $7,532.88 cash on-hand.
Smith’s itemized expenses include $1,025 for a rental of the Trotter Convention Center on April 27; $1,197 to Urban Radio in Starkville on April 30 for radio ads.
Montrell Coburn, an independent candidate running against Smith in Tuesday’s election, did not submit a report to the city registrar’s office by Tuesday’s 5 p.m. deadline.
Ward 3 incumbent Republican Charlie Box and Democrat challenger Charlotte Braxton Verdell also did not submit reports.
Candidates who fail to file or fail to timely file required reports cannot be certified as elected or receive salary until all reports are received, the document states.
Pre-election reports are mandatory, even if no campaign donations or expenditures occurred during the reporting period.
Ward 5
Candidates in the Ward 5 race have raised more than $10,000 for next week’s general election.
Incumbent Democrat Stephen Jones’ report shows he’s raised $5,996. His May 30 report states the total for both the current reporting period and year-to-date. His April 25 report showed $4,446 in campaign contributions. He’s spent $5,917.16 year-to-date.
Mark Ward, Jones’ Republican challenger, reported $6,643 raised year-to-date, with $1,900 raised this period. His report shows $2,912.13 in expenditures.
Ward 6
Ward 6 incumbent Bill Gavin did not report any income or expenditures or expense on his report.
Whirllie Byrd, Gavin’s Democratic challenger, reported $301 in contributions and $1,251 in expenditures.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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