By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
Raymond Coltrain, a Democratic candidate for county commissioner, continues to lead all local candidates in money raising and spending.Coltrain has raised $23,340 including $2,535 since April 20. During the most recent reporting period, which ran from April 20 through June 30, he spent $9,019.
Coltrain still has $14,320 on hand as he campaigns in advance of the November election.
Coltrain finished first in the Democratic primary with 7,200 votes.
Among Coltrain’s contributors for the April-to-June cycle were: Robert and Karen Knox of Cleveland, $250; Johnny Moore, Mount Ulla, $250; Vickie and Victor Wallace, Salisbury, $100; Phil Kirk, Raleigh, $200; and Fred Stanback, Salisbury, $500.
On the Republican side of the ballot, incumbent Commissioner Jim Sides is operating a low-budget re-election campaign.
Sides reported raising $3,010 ó $250 in contributions and a $2,700 personal loan.
He spent $1,328, mostly on yard signs, and reported having $1,681 on hand.
Carl Ford, the other Republican candidate, took in $7,420, mostly in donations from his father and wife. M.D. Ford, his father, contributed $4,000. His wife Angela, contributed $2,000 and also contributed radio spots worth $1,000. She is co-owner of WRNA Radio in China Grove.
Despite the family contributions, Ford’s campaign is still in the red. He previously loaned his campaign several thousand dollars.
As of June 30, his campaign deficit was $3,704.
Ford spent most of the money on radio spots but bought $689 in fans and pencils from a New York agency.
In the Republican primary, Sides netted 3,670 votes, with Ford collecting 3,546 votes and the second spot.
Two Republican candidates who lost in the May 6 primary exceeded the $3,000 benchmark for filing reports.
Mike Miller, of China Grove, raised $4,750 and spent $3,500. He finished third with 2,696 votes.
Most of Miller’s contributions came from businessmen including Paul Fisher, $500; Dwight F. “Dyke” Messinger, $500; Bradley L. Walser, $500; Bruce Jones, $300; Jake F. Alexander, $200; and William R. Wood, $250.
Donna Peeler, of Faith, who finished fourth, raised $4,435, spent $4,203 and garnered 2,530 votes.
Sheriff George Wilhelm, who has an an ongoing campaign committee, reported raising $60 during the period ending June 30 and spending $1,200.
Wilhelm, who is not on the ballot this November, paid $300 to help sponsor the Reagan-Lincoln Day dinner and $600 to rent Salisbury Station.
Wilhelm had $5,628 in his campaign account, according to his report.