Reports show the fundraising efforts for Escambia County Sheriff and County Commissioner District 1 candidates are outpacing others by thousands headed into the 2014 local election cycle.
The reports, which are now being filed on a monthly basis, show all contributions and expenditures for each candidate seeking office and were obtained from the county probate office, as well as from the secretary of state website.
Leading the fundraising drive was incumbent Sheriff Grover Smith, a Democrat, with $10,650 recorded in contributions.
Smith, who is seeking is fourth term as sheriff, began his campaign in January with a $3,000 self contribution. Other contributions include:
• $400 from Ned Sibert of East Brewton;
• $1,000 from Paul Owens of Brewton;
• $1,000 from Jerry Kelly of Brewton;
• $500 from Roy Sanderson of Rainsville, Ala.;
• $4,750 from Patsy W. Smith of Brewton
Smith is facing Republican candidate Heath Jackson for the seat. Jackson listed a beginning balance of $1,762.48 in his campaign fund; recorded a $500 contribution from Jeweler’s Trade Shop in Pensacola, Fla., and $1,500 expenditure for his qualifying fee.
In the district 1 commissioner race, the incumbent David Stokes is facing Theodore “Ted” Jennings. Both are Democratic candidates for the seat.
When looking at the numbers, Jennings has raised and spent more than double that of Stokes’ $4,300 in contributions and $1,273 in expenses.
Jennings listed his contributions, which include $3,000 in loans to himself, as:
• $1,000, Millennium Risk Managers of Birmingham;
• $5,000, Poarch Creek Band of Indians of Atmore;
• $25, Vivian Jones of Brewton; and,
• $1,000, AL Group PAC of Montgomery.
The majority of his expenditures included his qualifying fee, administrative costs and charitable contributions.
Stokes, a Democrat, has raised $4,300 with the following contributions:
• $1,500, Vision PAC of Montgomery;
• $500, Bobbie M. Stokes of Brewton;
• $200, Carolyn and Gary Trimble of Brewton;
• $1,000, Dan or Kathy McMillan of Brewton;
• $500, Republic Services Inc. of Phoenix, Ariz.;
• $250, Stokes and Stokes PC of Brewton; and,
• $300, Bobbie M. Stokes of Brewton.
The majority of his expenses were for advertising and for his filing fee.
To read the full listing of all candidate contributors and expenses for January through March, click here.