Candidates file last financial disclosures before November election

Candidates running for office during the November General Election turned in their last required financial disclosure forms before election day.

Locally, candidates file their disclosures with the Wilson County Election Commission quarterly. Phillip Warren heads the WCEC, and he said the latest disclosures were filed with his office by Oct. 10, but they cover the period from July 1 to Sept. 30.

"When they file their disclosures depends on what they're running for," he said. "The ones who are in the midst of the election have filed one. They have to file right before the election and right after."

Warren said some candidates are exempt from filing financial disclosures.

"If at the job you're running for you make less than $500 a month you don't have to file," he said. "Or if you spend less than $1,000 you file an exemption instead. If they end up spending more than that, they have to go back and file."

He used Watertown as an example since all the candidates from that town are exempt from filing.

"In Watertown, they're not going to spend any money," Warren said. "They all file an exemption form saying they won't spend more than $1,000."

He also explained the disclosure form itself.

"Receipts" are the money that has come in that quarter. "Disbursements" are money the campaign has paid out for signs, banners or anything done to promote the candidate. " Loans" represents money somebody loaned them. Loans can also be the money the candidate loaned his or her own campaign.

Regardless of where the money came from Warren said, "any donation over $100 has to be itemized."

He said money plays a role in most elections, and Wilson County is no exception.

Lebanon mayoral candidates disclosures

In the race to determine who will be the next mayor of Lebanon, all three candidates have filed the latest disclosure.

Incumbent Mayor Philip Craighead reported $22,622 in receipts for the quarter, and disbursements of $22,438. The mayor reported his campaign's "balance on hand" as $1,196 with $4,000 in outstanding loans. The unitemized contributions to the campaign ($100 or less from each source) totaled $9,572, with itemized contributions listed at $12,050.

Among the itemized contributions to Craighead's campaign, the largest donations came from Robert Black of Lebanon who contributed $2,000. Glen Asp of Lebanon contributed $1,000 and Billy Hall and Rose Hall both listed at the same Cookeville address each kicked in $1,000.

Robert "Bob" O'Brien's campaign reported receipts of $22,828, disbursements of $24,310, a balance on hand of -$1,350, and loans outstanding of $16,373. His unitemized contributions were listed at $4,555 and itemized ones totaling $1,900. His largest contributer has been Jackie Cowden who gave the campaign $1,400.  

David Kievernagle reported receipts totaling $360, disbursements totaling $361, and a balance of $11 and $492 in loans outstanding.

County Commission District 2

Richard Moses is vying for the District 2 seat on the County Commission against Terry Duncan. Moses reported his campaign has receipts of $386 and disbursements of $286, $100 on hand and $286 in outstanding loans. Duncan had no financial disclosure on file.

Lebanon Alderman Ward 1

Lanny Jewell is in the running to be alderman in Ward 1. He declared $900 in total receipts, $528 in disbursements and $371 on hand with no loans outstanding.

His opponent, Richard Rogers, who has been extradited to Georgia on outstanding warrants, only filed an "appointment of political treasurer" document dated Aug. 13.

Lebanon Alderman Ward 2

Fred Burton and Annette Stafford are in a race to determine who will represent Ward 2 on the Lebanon City Council.

Burton reported $1,995 in receipts, $1,809 in disbursements, leaving an on-hand balance of $185 with no loans outstanding.

Stafford reported no receipts or disbursements and zero balance on hand with no loans outstanding. Her largest contributor was herself with a $1,000 contribution from Randy and Annette Stafford.  

Lebanon Alderman Ward 5

Three candidates are hoping to represent Ward 5 as alderman.

Robert "Tick" Bryan reported his total receipts of $3,466, disbursements of $4020, $845 of cash on hand and $1,600 in loans outstanding. Of his three itemized contributors, the largest is from the Lebanon Fraternal Order of Police for $350.

Jim Mills reported receipts of $2,147 with zero disbursements, leaving the entire $2,147 on hand. Of his itemized donations, Mills reported Robert Fox, of Lebanon, contributed $500 to the campaign.

Billy Weeks reported $2,250 in receipts and $2,333 in disbursements, leaving $150 in cash on hand. He also noted $4,813 in outstanding loans made from him to his own campaign.
 
"The whole point is to have an open disclosure of where their money is coming from and where it's going," Warren said.

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.