Miller biggest spender in property assessor race
Incumbent property assessor Carolyn Miller led the way in campaign spending as she seeks to fend off a challenge from two other candidates for the Democratic nomination to her post.
According to campaign finance reports filed last week with the election office, Miller has taken in and spent $3,625, edging out Democratic opponent Thomas Winfree who took in and spent $3,256.
Both candidates reported the money spent so far came out of their own pockets, with Winfree reporting just one $100 contribution to his campaign. Emily Panter, who is also seeking the Democratic nomination, took in and spent $980 on her campaign.
The lion’s share of Winfree’s expenditures came in the form of printing costs where $2,167 was spent. Printing included items like signs and cards. He spent $720 on newspaper ads with the Southern Standard.
Miller also listed a large percentage of her expenditures in printing costs but also spent $1,200 in radio spots. She bought $481 in ads with the Southern Standard.
For whichever candidate emerges victorious Tuesday in the Democratic primary, two fresh opponents will be waiting in the wings. They include Republican candidate Gerald Riley who has spent $595 on his campaign and independent Michael Martin who has yet to spend any money on his campaign.
Riley faced no opposition in the Republican primary and the local Republican party has pledged to match dollar for dollar, any contributions which are put into local campaigns, meaning Riley could catch up to his Democratic counterparts in campaign spending by the general election.