Brown still dominates in fund-raising

Published 12:00 am Friday, October 31, 2003

NATCHEZ &045; Democratic sheriff’s candidate Ronny Brown continues to dominate in Adams County campaign contributions, according to finance reports filed Tuesday with the circuit clerk’s office.

Brown reported contributions of $72,656 through Tuesday, with expenditures of $70,385.79. Brown himself has so far contributed $14,900 to his own campaign, according to his report.

Incumbent Sheriff Tommy Ferrell, a Republican, has reported contributions of $38,225 through Tuesday, with expenditures of $29,310.

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Most of Brown’s spending in the past three weeks &045; the period covered by the reports &045; has been in radio and newspaper advertising.

Ferrell’s disbursements have included similar expenditures, as well as some donations (to the Lagrange Community Club, Holy Family School and the humane society) and a sponsorship for the Natchez Festival of Music.

Brown’s major contributors include: Attorney David Read, $1,300; Sanders Law Firm, $1,000; Smith’s Body Shop owner Gary Smith, $1,000; Charles Harrigill, former candidate for tax assessor, $2,500; Probation officer Michael Jaynes, $1,000; Probation officer Aaron Erwin, $1,000

Ferrell’s major contributors include: Alton Ogden, $1,000; Dr. and Mrs. David Ball, $1,000; Alton Odgen Sr., $1,000.

In other races, District 1 supervisor candidate Sammy Cauthen reported contributions of $5,450 through Tuesday, with expenditures of $3,383.89. His opponent, Democrat Jerry Lyles, reported only expenditures of $3,652.27 for the three-week reporting period. Neither Henry Watts nor Brad Fondren, the candidates for District 2 supervisor, filed reports.

In the coroner’s race, independent candidate John Pullen reported total contributions of $4,097.03 to date, with expenditures of $4,096.03. In addition to his own contributions to his campaign, major contributors included Jack Dallas, $1,000. Incumbent James E. Lee’s campaign contributions totaled $1,807.15 for the current reporting period, with expenditures of $437.