Campaign reports show funding help

Published 6:00 pm Thursday, October 13, 2011

Two local candidates for the statelegislature missed a recent campaign finance reporting deadlinewhile their opponents recorded high levels of spending andcontributions and large cash reserves.

    All candidates for statewide office are required to periodicallyreport on the finances of their campaigns to the Secretary ofState’s office. Records released by that office show that forreports due Oct. 10, Ken Dale Sullivan, Democratic candidate forHouse District 92, filed late and as of Wednesday, W.L. Rayborn,Democratic candidate for Senate District 39, has not filed.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

    “I sent mine in on Tuesday (Oct. 11),” Sullivan said. “I forgot allabout it.”

    Secretary of State records do show Sullivan’s filing date as Oct.11.

    According to law, the Secretary of State’s office must receive thefinance reports by the deadline. Reports postmarked by the deadlinebut received later are still considered late. Reports may also befaxed in.

    Despite records indicating his reports have not been received,Rayborn said he submitted the required papers late last week.

    “I think I did that last Thursday,” Rayborn said.

    Rayborn’s Republican opponent Sally Doty does not appear on a listof late filers prepared by the Secretary of State, but anelectronic copy of her records posted on the Secretary of State’swebsite is stamped as received Oct. 11, a day late.

    According to a guide published by the Secretary of State’s office,late filers face the possibility of fines of $50 for every lateday.

    Sullivan’s records have not been posted online yet, but when askedhe said he reported financial contributions of $150 and spending of$2,340.63 for the period of July 1 to Sept. 30.

    The Oct. 10 filings show that Sullivan’s incumbent opponent, BeckyCurrie, R-Brookhaven, has brought in significantly more money.

    A filing by the Committee to Elect Becky Currie reportedcontributions of $19,950 during the July 1 to Sept. 30 reportingperiod and total contributions of $29,950. Her campaign recorded$9,616.11 during the most recent reporting period and totalspending of $11,001.76.

    With the Nov. 8 election less than a month away, Currie reportscash on hand at $18,948.24.

    “I’m hoping this is a good sign,” Currie said of her contributionlevels. “I hope that means people are confident.”

    Sullivan said he has focused on meeting people rather than spendingmoney on advertisements or mailers.

    “Our main focus has been on the ground game,” Sullivan said. “Ithink that’s the best way for people to know what my viewpointsare.”

    Sullivan did say he plans to begin radio advertisements soon.

    Doty reported July 1 to Sept. 30 contributions of $30,703.90 withtotal contributions of $42,565.90.

    Doty’s campaign expenditures during the most recent reporting timeframe hit $27,862 with total spending of $56,871.15. Doty indicates$26,174.41 of cash reserves.

    Rayborn’s most recent reports, from July 26, indicate $600 in totalcontributions and $5,115 of total spending.

    Doty did express some agreement with Sullivan and said outspendingan opponent does not indicate electoral support.

    “I believe that the only thing that translates into voter supportis hard work and meeting with people,” Doty said.

    Some big donors have given to both Doty and Currie. The MississippiHospital Association Political Action Committee (PAC) gave $5,000to Doty and $2,500 to Currie. The Mississippi Medical PAC gave$2,000 to Doty and $2,500 to Currie.

    Doty also received $5,000 from the Friends of Tate Reeves, whileCurrie was the recipient of $2,000 from the Mississippi HouseRepublicans Conference.

    “I’ve got the business community behind me,” Currie said speakingof her various contributors. “I also have the nursing and medicalcommunity behind me.”

    Doty also emphasized her support among business leaders.

    “They are interested in having good business-friendly policies,”Doty said.

    Of the four candidates, all have filed late reports. Sullivan alsofiled his June 10 report late, while Rayborn filed his June 10 andJuly 8 reports late. Doty submitted her July 8 and Aug. 16 reportslate. Currie’s May 10 report was received late.