District 1 supervisor race still most costly

Published 11:58 am Tuesday, October 13, 2015

The Lafayette County District 1 supervisor race continues to be the most costly campaign among supervisor candidates in all districts with seats up for election in November.

District 1 Democratic candidate Kevin Frye has spent and collected the most funds with $16,766 reported in donations and $15,832 reported for expenses. His Republican opponent, Rickey Babb, reported $900 in donations and $3,255 and Independent candidate Brian Hyneman has collected $6,295 and has spent $6,086 on campaign expenses.

Campaign finances were filed for the last time before the final pre-election mandatory reports are filed later this month. The reports were due Friday.

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Candidates are responsible for filing all campaign finance reports until that candidate files a termination report. Candidates who file late may be subject to fines, according to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.

In District 3, Democratic candidate Dale Timothy Gordon reported $550 in donations and $265 in expenses. Republican candidate David Rikard reported $5,448 in donations and $6,891 in expenses. Independent candidate Zach Carey did not file a report. In District 5, incumbent Democrat Mike Roberts claimed $2,000 in donations and no expenses. His Republican opponent, Johnny Mike Fortner, filed a report but claimed no donations and no expenses.

Lafayette County Justice Court judge race candidates reported similar donations and expenses. Democrat Carolyn Pettis Bell reported $1,665 in donations and $1,405 in expenses while Republican candidate Jeffery Johnson reported $1,335 in donations and $1,680 in expenses.

Oxford’s state races have been a bit more costly than local races.

In the Senate 9 race, Republican incumbent Gary Tollison reported having raised $100,133 with Democratic candidate Cristen Hemmins reporting $84,773 in donations. Hemmins filed a report on Oct. 9.

In the House 12 race, Republican incumbent Brad Mayo reported having raised $53,095 and his Democratic opponent, Jay Hughes, reported raising $33,128.

Tollison, Hughes and Mayor filed  reports Friday; however they were not available on the Mississippi Secretary of State’s website as of Tuesday.