Legislative Candidates File Finance Reports

The battle for the state Legislature shifted from political to financial over the weekend as legislative candidates filed their July campaign reports with the Secretary of State’s office.

Friday was the deadline to submit July financial reports for a series of state races, ranging from the constitutional offices to state House and state Senate races.

In the 13 state legislative races in Northeast Arkansas, Democrats had a cash-on-hand advantage in the vast majority of races, while Republicans led in three key state House races.

In District 52, which covers Craighead, Independence, Jackson and Poinsett counties, both Republican Dwight Tosh and Democrat Radius Baker were neck-and-neck in the money race. Tosh, who defeated state Rep. John Hutchison, R-Harrisburg, in the May 20 primary, raised $7,650 in July while spending only $500. Baker raised more money than Tosh in July, picking up $9,375 and spending $2,203.60, records indicated.

To the east in District 54, both Republican Dave Wallace of Leachville and incumbent State Rep. Wes Wagner were also running a tight money race. Both candidates raised about the same amount of money in July – Wagner raised $1,500 while Wallace raised $1,400. Wallace has loaned his campaign $10,000 so far, which has given him a $25,342 to $23,344 cash advantage over Wagner. The district covers most of northern Mississippi County including Blytheville, Gosnell, Manila and part of Osceola, as well as Lepanto, Trumann and Rivervale in Poinsett County.

In neighboring District 53, Republican Dan Sullivan of Jonesboro, who is challenging State Rep. Homer Lenderman, D-Brookland, had a nearly two-to-one cash advantage over Lenderman.

Lenderman, who is seeking a third and final term this fall, raised $4,900 during July, compared to Sullivan, who raised $2,550 during the month. Lenderman spent $4,468.48 in July, compared to Sullivan, who spent $3,237.74, records indicated.

In District 59, both Jack Ladyman, R-Bono, and Ron Carroll, D-Jonesboro, raised little money in July. Ladyman raised $1,350, while Carroll raised $390. Both candidates did spend, however, with Carroll expensing $2,543 to Ladyman’s $3,217. As of July 31, Ladyman had a $4,673 to $2,719 cash advantage over Carroll.

While some races were close in the money category, Democrats did lead in four key legislative races.

In District 58, State Rep. Harold Copenhaver, D-Jonesboro, outraised his opponent, Brandt Smith, R-Jonesboro, while Smith outspent Copenhaver. Copenhaver raised $2,300 while Smith raised $750 in July. As of July 31, Copenhaver had a $14,091 to $5,024 cash-on-hand advantage over Smith.

The same was true in District 60, where incumbent State Rep. James Ratliff, D-Imboden, had a 14-to-1 cash advantage over his Republican opponent, Blaine Davis, R-Hoxie. Ratliff raised $1,400 in July, while Davis picked up $900 in contributions. Ratliff had $14,265 cash-on-hand at the end of July compared to Davis’ $1,233.

To the west in District 63, Democrat Lackey Moody Jr. of Batesville outraised and outspent Republican James Sturch, also of Batesville. Moody raised $7,103.24, compared to Sturch, who raised $1,688.86.  Moody had a $24,776 to $7,822 cash advantage over Sturch, with a large part of the advantage ($10,000) coming from money that Moody has loaned to his campaign.

TOTALS
The following is a breakdown of financial figures for July, with the amount at the beginning of month, followed by the amount raised; amount spent; and cash-on-hand at the end of the month.

State House
District 51
State Rep. Deborah Ferguson, D-West Memphis – $16,006.45; $2,000; $50; $17,956.45.
Rodger Paxton, L-Marion – report not posted on Secretary of State’s website.

District 52
Dwight Tosh, R-Jonesboro – $7,891; $7,650; $500; $15,041.05.
Radius Baker, D-Jonesboro – $8,134.10; $9,375; $2,203.60; $15,305.50.

District 53
Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro – $28,752.65; $2,550; $3,237.74; $28,268.85.
Homer Lenderman, D-Brookland – $14,409.45; $4,900; $4,468.48; $14,840.97.

District 54
David Wallace, R-Leachville – $24,658.89; $1,400; $719.17; $25,342.24.
Wes Wagner, D-Manila – $22,776.91; $1,500; $932.96; $23,343.95.

District 57
Ronnie C. Spence, R-Paragould – $2,255; $0; $0; $2,255.
State Rep. Mary Broadaway, D-Paragould – $20,720.53; $350; $2,894.25; $18,180.66.

District 58
Brandt Smith, R-Jonesboro – $6,770.49; $750; $2,501.22; $5,023.76.
State Rep. Harold Copenhaver, D-Jonesboro – $13,492.40; $2,300; $1,702.21; $14,091.24.

District 59
Jack Ladyman, R-Bono – $6,539.59; $1,350; $3,216.69; $4,672.90.
Ron Carroll, D-Jonesboro – $4,871.97; $390; $2,543.30; $2,718.67.

District 60
Blaine Davis, R-Hoxie – $532.84; $900; $200; $1,232.84.
State Rep. James Ratliff, D-Imboden – $14,297; $1,400; $1,432; $14,265.

District 61
Doug Driesel, R-Cherokee Village – $1,811.45; $950; $127; $2,634.45
State Rep. Scott Baltz, D-Pocahontas – $3,964.71; $7,100; $500; $10,564.71.

District 62
Michelle Gray, R-Melbourne – $3,387; $450; $2,100; $1,737.
State Rep. Tommy Wren, D-Melbourne – report not posted on Secretary of State’s website.

District 63
James Sturch, R-Batesville – $6,733.61; $1,688.86; $600; $7,822.47.
Lackey Moody Jr., D-Batesville – $17,244.95; $7,103.24; $446.46; $24,775.60.

State Senate
District 19
Linda Collins-Smith, R-Pocahontas – $25,153.77; $7,700 (includes $1,233.05 loan); $2,369.42; $31,720.77.
Rep. James McLean, D-Batesville – $52,853.96; $10,865; $6,960.65; $56,758.31.

District 20
Blake Johnson, R-Corning – $20,000; $10,000 (includes $7,000 loan); $2,190.46; $28,034.21.
State Sen. Robert Thompson, D-Paragould – report not posted on Secretary of State’s website.