Zavogiannis leads spending in race for DA

Money is spending fast in the race for district attorney general with Lisa Zavogiannis leading the way among the three political newcomers hoping to challenge incumbent Dale Potter in August.

According to financial disclosure reports filed with the state department of elections reflecting spending in January through March of this year, Zavogiannis reported spending $22,479 in the three-month period. That amount is in addition to $6,861 she spent late last year to get her campaign rolling.

Her spending was significantly more than fellow Democratic hopeful Robert Newman, who spent $14,999 January through March. Both candidates outspent Phillip Clemons, who spent $8,634 during the same period.

All three are asking for the Democratic nomination May 2 for a shot at challenging Potter in the general election Aug. 3. Potter is wasting no time while his opponents jockey for position as he reported spending $10,058 so far this year with the lion?s share, $7,352, being spent with Tennessee Valley Signs.

Signs are an expense all candidates are experiencing as Newman spent over $5,000 on signs, while Zavogiannis spent in excess of $10,000. Clemons spent less on signs with his top line item being $2,340 spent with Lamar Advertising which specializes in billboards.

Along with signs, the candidates also invested in other areas with Newman spending around $5,000 on radio ads while Zavogiannis spent $5,000 with a political consulting firm out of Cookeville.

As for the source of their campaign war chests, along with significant amounts of their own money, both Zavogiannis and Newman had $1,000 contributors to their causes while Clemons had none, investing mostly his own money.

For Newman, who is a longtime partner of the law firm Galligan and Newman, there was $3,000 in contributions from the Galligan family ? $1,000 apiece from Michael, Rhonda and Trevor Galligan. Joe Pugh was also a member of Newman?s $1,000 club.

For Zavogiannis, the lawfirm next door to Galligan & Newman, that of Farrar, Holliman & Medley, donated $1,000 to her, as did Elaine Wilhelm of Greenwood. The restaurant La Cazona also contributed $1,000 to her campaign.