With the primaries past for most candidates and the final weeks leading up to the general election ticking down, campaign finance reports show Brookhaven mayoral candidate Joe Cox with a distinct fundraising advantage.

     Cox, the Republican mayoral candidate, reported approximately $9,500 in campaign contributions in the most recent campaign finance report required by law.

     He reported having spent $5,000 on his campaign. Those reported expenses occurred from the beginning of his campaign up through April 27, the last day of the reporting period. Campaign finance reports were due April 30.

     Independent candidate D.W. Maxwell reported no campaign contributions but had nearly matched Cox in expenditures, reporting about $4,200 of campaign spending.

     Independent candidate Rose “Polly” Powell’s finance report appeared to have errors. On the summary sheet she reported $1,020 in contributions but no expenses, though campaign signs by Powell may be seen around town. However, on subsequent sheets of the report, where expenses and contributions are itemized if needed, Powell listed $1,020 as an expense by herself.

     Democratic candidate David Douglas Smith III has raised no money but spent $1,332, all during a time period in which he was facing a contested primary.

     With most aldermen races settled in the primaries, the mayoral race should be one of the top draws in the June 4 general elections (along with a referendum attempting to legalize alcohol sales in the city).

     However, there will be three other citywide offices on the ballot and all three are contested.

     Chief of police candidate Bobby Bell, who recently won the Democratic primary, indicated a relatively successful fundraising record, with about $3,100 in contributions. By April’s end, he’d only spent $580 so most of it probably remains ready for the general election.

     His Republican opponent, Ted Goleman, who did not face a contested primary, claimed $200 in contributions and $994 in expenses.

     Incumbent Alderman at Large Karen Sullivan steers into a second consecutive contested race, having spent approximately $2,500 but reporting no contributions leading up to the Republican primary she won.

     Ed Thompson, an independent candidate, didn’t have a primary but has already spent $3,745 on his campaign while claiming no contributions.

     Democratic candidate André Spiller appears less well financed than his two general election opponents. He reported no contributions and $389 in campaign expenses.

     Neither incumbent City Clerk Mike Jinks nor his general election opponent Maxine Jones faced primary opposition and their finance reports are fairly modest.

     Jinks, a Republican, has brought in $125 and spent $100 of it. The Democratic Jones reported no contributions but $377 of expenses.

     Of the ward alderman races, only the Ward Six race will remain to be settled in the general election. Democratic candidate David McCoy is fresh off a victory in a primary he spent $765 on while receiving no campaign donations.

     Incumbent David Phillips, an independent, has, through the end of April, spent $250 while his campaign pocketed no contributions.

     One other alderman race remains to be settled through a runoff to be held May 21 in Ward One.