Lynn outspends primary opponent

The financial tale of the tape is in for the summer's rough and tumble Republican State House primary, and State Rep. Susan Lynn outspent her opponent almost as badly as she beat him at the polls.
In the final months leading up to August's Republican primary for the District 57 representative's post in the state House, Lynn outspent her opponent, Mt. Juliet businessman Tom Wood, by an 18-to-one margin.
According to post-primary campaign financial disclosure statements filed with the Wilson County Election Commission, Lynn spent just over $28,600 in the waning months of the heated contest, compared to $1,574 doled out by the Wood camp.
Lynn entered the post-primary reporting period – covering July 27 through Sept. 19 – with a healthy campaign warchest, already holding more than $24,000. The Wood campaign carried just under $300 into the same period.
Throughout the post-primary cycle, the Lynn campaign raked in almost $6,000 in campaign contributions. A pair of Nashville-based political committees represented Lynn's largest donors for the period, as Target PAC and the Tennessee Bankers Association contributed $750 and $1,000, respectively.
Records also indicate Lynn, who carried an outstanding loan balance of $15,150 into the reporting period, spent $1,000 toward the balance during the final months of the primary campaign.
For the same period, Wood's campaign garnered a little more than $1,275. Mt. Juliet resident Robert Blaylock donated $250, and Brentwood resident Harold Siefert contributed $500 to the Wood effort.
Wood also contributed to his campaign, chipping in $300 during the post-primary reporting period and bringing his total contributions to his campaign to $2,800.
Lynn, who successfully defended her seat in the Aug. 5 primary, now holds a campaign fund balance of almost $1,600. The sophomore representative is also responsible for a loan balance of $14,150.
Staff Writer Brian Harville can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 16 or by e-mail at brian.harville@lebanondemocrat.com.