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January 31, 2008
District 6 financial reports
I have been watching the Election Commission site for these numbers to come in, but there is a reason that John Wilson is considered tops in breaking local news. Plus, you know, I have other stuff to take care of.
Anyway, the results are not that surprising. Carol Berz leads in contributions, as could already be detected in the size of her organization and the prevalence of her signage.
One of Berz's larger contributions ($2500) was from a group that is rather ubiquitous these days in local politics: the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which also endorsed her. The SEIU (through its Nashville-based attorney) filed one of the residency-related complaints against former District 6 Council member Marti Rutherford, whom this special election replaces. Earlier this year, Rutherford had voted against a pay increase for city employees, many of whom are represented by the SEIU.
The Chattanoogan article doesn't mention whether or not Marti Rutherford contributed financially to Melinda Hickey's campaign. Rutherford endorsed Hickey early in the election cycle. Ms. Hickey did, however, collect some cash from a few "big names" in the area.
Julie Chamberlain enjoys a lot of support from her realty association; and of course friends, business associates, and relatives can be counted among the contributors for about any candidate.
For the most part, the candidates have themselves been their biggest financial backers, through loans.
According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Carol Berz and Rick Igou have yet to file their disclosure forms. I guess local races are different than state elections, because if one is late filing in the latter, the penalties from the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance are quite steep.
Chattanooga City Elections | By joe lance | 02:59 PM