Walker leads in campaign contributions

Published Sunday, January 20, 2008

By Brian Knox

The first campaign finance reports of the year were due Tuesday, and several candidates already have raised - and spent - several thousand dollars in preparation for the March primary election.

Campaign finance reports are filed in the office of County Clerk Sherry Parker-Lemon and are public record.

Wise County Sheriff David Walker, a Republican, leads the field in contributions with $8,910. His contributors include Don Nimmo and Roberta Nimmo of Bridgeport, $1,250 each; $1,000 contributions from Glen and Becky Hale of Paradise, Phil and Sidney Ryan and Luke and Kelly Myers, all of Decatur; $500 contributions from Brian Stephens, Wayne and Lynn Long, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Eaton and Brock Smith, all of Decatur; $250 from Rodney L. Wooley of Alvord; $200 from Sid Hodges of Bridgeport, Laura Heffelfinger of Cresson and Mr. and Mrs. James Kirk of Decatur; $100 from George Parker of Runaway Bay, D.W. Farley, W.B. Woodruff and Mr. and Mrs. Ken Russell, all of Decatur; $50 from Brandon McComis and Grant Drake, both of Bridgeport, and Max and Martha Moore of Lake Bridgeport; and $10 from Scott Gates of Decatur. Walker reported expenditures of $1,606.

His opponent in the March primary, David Allen of Bridgeport, reported $1,748 in contributions, including $100 from Edward Hart of Aurora, $99 from Joanne Bourland of Vernon and $50 from Paul Jaworski of Hickory Creek. He listed $1,224 in contributions from people who donated less than $50 each. He reported expenditures of $2,515.51.

The race with the most expenditures thus far is for county attorney, where a total of $8,564.78 has been spent by the three Republican candidates seeking the office. James Stainton reported a $5,000 contribution from Mitzi McWilliams of Azle and expenditures of $4,736. Marilyn Belew has reported $1,801.32 in contributions, including $1,000 from Reed McConnell of Austin, $500 from Harold McAden of Bridgeport, $100 from Eula Johnson of Decatur and herself and $1,363.93 in expenditures. Thomas Aaberg reported no contributions and $2,464.85 in expenditures.

In the race for district attorney, Democrat Gerald Hartley reported no contributions and $1,657 in expenditures, according to the Texas Ethics Commission Web site. No reports were on file for Republican challenger Greg Lowery or Independent Clinton E. Phillips.

In the race for Precinct 1 county commissioner, incumbent Robert Rankin, a Republican, reported $300 in contributions, including $250 from the Phil King campaign fund. He reported $1,050 in expenditures. Challenger Danny White reported $875 in contributions and $3,267.87 in expenditures. Cory Schwenn reported no contributions and no expenditures. No report was on file for John W. Peterson or Democratic challenger Jim Popp.

In the Precinct 3 commissioner race, incumbent Mikel Richardson, a Republican, has reported a $250 contribution from the Phil King campaign fund and expenditures of $1,050. No report was filed for Democratic challenger Bill Smith.

In the Precinct 1 constable race, Democratic incumbent Dennis Hudson reported no contributions and $675 in expenditures. Republican challenger Tom Bishop reported no contributions and $375 in expenditures.

In the Precinct 3 constable race, Republican Doug Parr reported no contributions and $520.70 in expenditures. No report was on file for Republican incumbent Kay Williams.

Of the three Republicans seeking the Precinct 4 constable position, the only report on file was from Kevin Huffman. He reported $1,450 in contributions, including $1,000 from Gene and Robin Melton of Runaway Bay, $200 from Tim and Lori Livingston of Boyd and $100 each from Jerry D. McGee of Weatherford and Carol McGough of Bridgeport. He reported $885 in expenditures.