The 2018 election may be a year away, but local candidates for state and county offices have already begun raising money for their respective campaigns.

The statewide primaries will be June 5, with a primary runoff set for July 17 and the general election Nov. 6. And although the deadline to qualify to run for a party nomination is Feb. 9, prospective candidates could legally begin raising money June 5.

This year, principal campaign committees and political actions committees (PACs) are required to file electronically with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office which keeps an online database of campaign finance reports.

Local candidates that have filed reports include incumbents Sheriff Matt Gentry, Rep. Randall Shedd (District 9) and Rep. Corey Harbison (District 12) along with Republican candidates for State House District 9, currently held by Rep. Ed Henry, James Bowling and Scott Stadthagen, Jr. both of Hartselle.

Starting with that contested race, Bowling reported raising $130 in individual cash contributions, a $50 in-kind contribution and another $1,288 in his own money in September.

Bowling spent $365 for advertising and $1,000 for consultation /polling with Garner Consulting Service in Birmingham. As of September 30, he had a $52.86 campaign fund balance.

His opponent, Stadthagen filed reports in June, July, August and September. He reported raising $22,285 in itemized cash contributions and a $5,530 in-kind contribution for himself for administrative costs with another $4,400 of his own money.

Stadthagen spent $6,564 for administrative costs, advertising and fundraising.

He reported raising another $1,075 in July and $1,350 in August in itemized cash contributions. Stadthagen made an in-kind contribution of $737 in his own money in July for administrative costs.

He reported spending $1,580 in July, $200 in August and $1,150 in September for advertising. As of September 30, he had a $19,604 campaign fund balance.

In District 11, Shedd kicked off his campaign fundraising with a $20,300 loan to himself in June with another a $105 cash contribution and $1,428 in expenditures for administrative costs, advertising, food and loan repayment.

In July, Shedd picked up $1,000 each from the Alabama Consumer Finance Association (ACFA) and AT&T Alabama PACs and a $500 in-kind contribution from Windom, Galliher & Associates in Montgomery for consultation/polling. He spent $735 in administrative costs and advertising.

In August, Shedd received two $1,000 cash contributions ($2,000 total) and spent $861 in administrative cots, food, lodging and cell phone service.

In September, he received $2,500 from the Farmers Employees and Agents PAC, $1,000 from CARE PAC with is associated with the Alabama Nursing Home Association, $1,000 from the Trust Representing Involved Alabama Lawyers (TRIAL) PAC with is associated with the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association and a $100 individual cash contribution.

He spent $586 on administrative costs, advertising and food. As of September 30, Shedd had a $26,348 campaign fund balance.

In District 12, Harbison reported raising $3,200 in June, $4,100 in July — including $2,500 from CARE PAC, $4,900 in August — including $500 from engineering PAC CDG, and $6,000 in September — including $1,000 from the Alabama Power Co. Employees State PAC, $500 from AT&T PAC, $500 from SHR PAC, and $1,500 from the TRIAL PAC.

He spent $1,312 in June for administrative costs and charitable contributions; $1,964 in July for administrative costs, advertising, charitable contributions and food; $43 in August for administrative costs and advertising and $373 in September in administrative costs, advertising and charitable contributions.

As of September 30, Harbison had a $21,825 campaign fund balance.

Looking at county candidates, Marchman reported raising $1,000 in cash contributions with another $600 in non-itemized contributions and a $100 in non-itemized expenditures. As of September 30, Marchman had a $1,500 campaign fund balance.

Meanwhile, Gentry reported raising $11,000 in June, $6,700 in July — including $1,200 from the Iron Workers Local No. 42 P.A.L. in Birmingham, $5,250 in August and $10,500 in September in itemized cash contributions.

Gentry reports spending no money yet, sitting on a campaign fund balance of $58,640 as of September 30. 

 

Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.