NEA Candidates Turn In Reports
With about 50 days left until voters head to the polls, it was a financial battle back and forth for several state legislative candidates who turned in their campaign finance numbers for August.
Republicans led in the money race in a Craighead County state house race, two other races were close financially, while Democrats led in several others.
In District 53, Republican Dan Sullivan of Jonesboro had a nearly $10,000 cash on hand advantage against his opponent, State Rep. Homer Lenderman, D-Brookland. Sullivan raised $2,500, spent $2,463.75, leaving $28,537.78 during August, while Lenderman raised $9,940, spent $5,810.86 and had $18,970.11, records indicated.
It was about a $500 difference in the accounts of State Rep. Wes Wagner, D-Manila, and his Republican opponent, Dave Wallace of Leachville. Wagner raised $5,650, spent $4,219.58, leaving $24,774.37 in the bank. Wallace raised $750, spent $1,802 and had $24,292.80 in the bank.
The district covers most of northern Mississippi County, along with Lepanto, Trumann and Rivervale in Poinsett County.
Nearly $1,000 was the difference in another Craighead County state House race.
Ron Carroll, D-Jonesboro, had a $4,667.67 to $3,793.74 cash advantage over Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro. Both candidates are running for the District 59 state House seat held by State Rep. Butch Wilkins, D-Bono. Wilkins is term-limited and cannot seek another term.
To the west, one Democratic candidate had a 30-to-1 cash advantage over his Republican opponent.
State Rep. Scott Baltz, D-Pocahontas had $18,539.17 in the bank, compared with Doug Driesel, R-Cherokee Village, who had $614.58 in the bank.
The following is a rundown of candidate campaign figures, including balance at the beginning of the period, contributions, expenditures, loans (if any) and cash on hand as of Monday:
STATE HOUSE
District 51
State Rep. Deborah Ferguson, D-West Memphis – $17,956.45, $4,050, $1,935, none and $20,071.43.
Rodger Paxton, L-Marion – Not filed yet.
District 52
Dwight Tosh, R-Jonesboro – $15,041.05, $9,950, $1,974.78, none and $23,016.27.
Radius Baker, D-Jonesboro – Not filed yet.
District 53
Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro – $28,268.85, $2,500, $2,463.75, $232.68 and $28,537.78.
State Rep. Homer Lenderman, D-Brookland – $14,840.97, $9,940, $5,810.86, none and $18,970.11.
District 54
Dave Wallace, R-Leachville – $25,342.24, $750, $1,802, none and $24,292.80.
State Rep. Wes Wagner, D-Manila – $23,343.95, $5,650, $4,219.58, none and $24,774.37.
District 57
Ronnie C. Spence, R-Paragould – Not filed yet.
State Rep. Mary Broadaway, D-Paragould – $18,180.66, $9,300, $7,290.10, none and $20,194.31.
District 58
Brandt Smith, R-Jonesboro – $5,023, $8,150, $1,250, $10,000 and $21,928.67.
State Rep. Harold Copenhaver, D-Jonesboro – $14,091.24, $2,750, $7,314.72, none and $9,527.41
District 59
Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro – $4,672.90, $750, $1,629.16, none and $3,793.74.
Ron Carroll, D-Jonesboro – $2,718.67, $4,474, $2,525, none and $4,667.67.
District 60
Blaine Davis, R-Hoxie – $1,232.84, $450, $1,068.26, none and $614.58.
State Rep. James Ratliff, D-Imboden – $14,265, $5,200, $3,471, none and $15,994.
District 61
Doug Driesel, R-Cherokee Village – $1,233.84, $450, $1,068.26, none and $614.58.
State Rep. Scott Baltz, D-Pocahontas – $10,564.71, $11,780, $3,805.54, none and $18,539.17.
District 62
Michelle Gray, R-Melbourne – Not filed yet.
State Rep. Tommy Wren, D-Melbourne – $35,770.50, $4,800, $4,090.85, $704 and $36,479.65.
District 63
James Sturch, R-Batesville – $7,822.47, $6,843.25, $1,377.19, none and $13,288.53.
Lackey Moody, D-Batesville – $24,775.60, $2,500, $620, none and $26,656.41.
STATE SENATE
District 19
Fmr. State Rep. Linda Collins-Smith, R-Pocahontas – $31,720.77, $13,825, $11,033.95, $1,344.67 and $35,856.49.
State Rep. James McLean, D-Batesville – $56,758.31, $10,450, $4,878.15, none and $62,330.16.
District 20
Blake Johnson, R-Corning – $28,034.21, $14,300, $2,620, none and $39,914.01.
State Sen. Robert Thompson, D-Paragould – $102,141.03, $24,065, $3,683.96, none and $122,534.86.