Democrat Stephen Jones appears to have a commanding lead in fundraising among mayoral candidates, according to campaign finance reports filed with the city registrar’s office ahead of Tuesday’s general election.
Since Jan. 1, Jones has raised $27,536, compared to independent candidate Darren Leach’s $7,925.08. The third candidate in the race, independent Bill Strauss, did not file a report by Tuesday’s statutory deadline.
Candidates are required to file campaign finance reports periodically and itemize contributions and expenses in excess of $200. For candidates who filed a report before the party primary deadline, the most recent report covers donations and spending since March 25. For all other candidates, the reports cover the entire campaign season.
Jones raised $16,131 this reporting period, including $6,500 from political action committees – $5,000 from the Water Valley-based Save Our State PAC and $1,500 from the Madison-based Blue Magnolia Road PAC. He also received $5,000 from Charles D. Easley; $1,000 from A to Z 14 LLC; $800 from Jackson Communications in Pearl; $500 each from 16th Circuit District Attorney Scott Colom and the city’s contracted lobbying firm WT Consultants; $250 each from S.J. Albritton, Rebecca Blaylock, Mildred Rollins and Re/MAX Partners; and $831 non-itemized.
Year-to-date, Jones has spent $25,388.79 on his campaign and has $2,147.21 on hand.
Leach reported raising $5,401.08 for the period, including $2,391.08 non-itemized.
Among his listed contributions were $1,000 from Al Pucket; $500 each from Cecil Vaughn and Brian Gildea; $460 from Nathaniel Miller; $300 from sitting mayor Keith Gaskin; and $250 from STHG LLC.
He’s reported spending $7,822.33 this year, leaving him with $163.11 on hand.
Ward 1
In the Ward 1 council race, incumbent Democrat Ethel Stewart’s most recent report showed $2,150 in contributions this period.
She received $1,000 from her husband Johnnie Stewart, $750 from the United Steel Workers District 9 of Gardendale, Alabama and reported $400 as non-itemized.
Stewart has spent $1,425 and has $725 on hand.
Her opponent, Gaskin, an independent who ran for council after opting not to seek reelection as mayor, raised $2,400 this period. That includes $500 each from Trae Vaughn and Martha Dunn Kirkley and $250 from SHTG LLC – which has given the Gaskin campaign $1,250 total this year.
Gaskin also reported $1,150 in non-itemized donations for this period.
Year-to-date, Gaskin has raised $4,456.28 and spent $3,526.11, leaving him with $930.17 on hand.
Ward 4
Democrat Lavonne Harris reported $1,100 in fundraising this period for the Ward 4 council seat.
Andrew Benson and Nadia Colom gave her $500 each, and she received $100 from Currie Fisher.
Harris has spent $400 so far and reports having $761 on hand, which includes the carryover balance from her successful primary campaign.
Incumbent Pierre Beard, an independent, reported only $400 in fundraising year-to-date, with donations of $200 each from engineering firms Neel-Schaffer and Waggoner.
Beard reported spending $460 so far.
Republican Robert Johnson IV did not file a report by the deadline.
Ward 5
Republican Mary Beth Jeter reported $2,250 in donations for the Ward 5 seat. That includes $2,000 from her own pocket and $250 from Benton Legacy Properties.
She reported spending $2,914.41 and having $200 left, even though her reported expenses exceed her reported fundraising.
Gary Jefferson, a Democrat, reported $1,500 in fundraising this period, including $700 from his own pocket. TC Express gave him $500 and Andy Stewart donated $300.
Jefferson reported spending all his money, leaving him with a zero balance.
Ward 6
Republican Jason Spears reported $690 in fundraising this period, all of it non-itemized.
Year-to-date, he has raised $6,990 and spent $6,855.58, leaving him with $134.42. Those totals include the primary season, which he reported at the time.
Independent Donald Pope did not file a report by the deadline.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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