Fleming leads field in campaign funds

With one more report to go before the Nov. 5 election, former Columbia County Board of CommissionersChairman Barry Fleming is sitting atop a high mountain.

Fleming has raised more than raised more than $34,000 since announcing his intent to seek the District 79 Georgia House of Representatives seat. That's more than any other Columbia County candidate for a state office this year.

During the same time, Fleming has spent $16,948.96. By comparison, his opponent, Terry Holley, has raised $1,066.43 and spent $916.43.

Fleming's campaign has been boosted by various political action committees, companies and fellow attorneys. His expenditure list includes $4,165 for yard signs, bumper stickers and large signs.

Holley's report shows donations from himself and Martinez resident Larry Waxman. His expenditure list includes brochures and banners.

In the county's state Senate race, incumbent Republican Joey Brush raised $12,495 between July 1 and Sept. 30. - Brush took in $12,495. Most of that money came from companies and political action committees, standard donors for incumbents.

Since July 1, Brush has spent $14,324.95, including paying for the phone and cable television at his local office, the purchase of a computer and maintenance of his Web site. He also made donations to other candidates and causes: $250 to gubernatorial candidate Sonny Perdue, $200 to State Rep. Bill Jackson's retirement dinner, $700 to Columbia County Commission candidate Mark Devoti and $1,000 to the Southeastern Legal Foundation - a donation made about the same time the group was helping Brush question Columbia County's sign ordinance.

Meanwhile, Brush' opponent for the State Senate District 24 seat - Harlem Democrat Anna Marie Hargis - has declined any donations, saying she will not be bought.

On her disclosure form, Hargis reports she raised and spent $2,562.65 - money from her own pocket, her family or in-kind donations from family friends. Her expenditures included her Web site, car signs, balloons and printing.

In the county's other contested state race, the Republican candidate is financially distancing himself from the Democratic challenger for the District 79 House of Representatives seat.

That leaves one other contested race for Columbia County voters.

Incumbent school board member Mildred Blackburn raised $750 and spent $594.73 through Sept. 30 in her race against Andy Ezell. Her contribution list includes $400 from herself, $50 from Columbia County Assistant Superintendent Jonnie Ghetti, and donations from teachers and school system employees. On the expenditure side, she's bought campaign cards and yard signs.

Ezell has raised $2,550 - including $2,000 from himself - and spent $1555.96 on yard signs, photos and mailing lists.