Abilene mayoral candidate Hurt raises most money; Beard lists $30K in in-kind help
The eight candidates for three seats on the Abilene City Council who were required to file an 8-day campaign finance report showed continued contributions as the races head toward Saturday's election.
Reports were due to the city of Abilene on Friday.
Mayoral write-in candidate Chad Clark and Place 3 candidate Cynthia Alvidrez were not required to turn in reports after stating neither would spend no more than $1,050 during their campaign per city election rules.
Weldon Hurt, who raised the most money in the 30-day reports by candidates - almost $35,000 - reported $26,651.98 more in monetary contributions. Hurt is one of four candidates for mayor.
Next was Place 4 candidate Scott Beard, who reported contributions of $18,910, with close to $15,000 in expenses.
Additionally, he reported $30,815.99 in in-kind contributions. Combined, that's almost $50,000 given toward his campaign.
The candidate had been questioned about his reporting of in-kind contributions. Those were documented in this report.
In addition to 71 monetary contributions, which included three churches, Beard received a $5,000 in-kind gift for billboard advertising and $2,025 from French Gourmet, based in San Diego, Calif., for cooking at a fundraiser. The firm also gave a $895 monetary contribution.
The biggest non-monetary gift was $16,000 in consulting from Mike Stephens of Lubbock, as well as a separate in-kind gift of $6,500 from Stephens for polling.
Place 3 candidate Blaise Regan, who reported almost $24,000 in money gifts in his previous report, listed only $3,200 in contributions this time but $15,967.68 in expenses.
Candidates Hurt, Regan and Brian Yates listed as expenses advertising on local TV stations.
Here is a look at the latest campaign finance reporting:
Mayor
∎ RYAN GOODWIN
Monetary contributions: $2,100
In-kind contributions: None
Total expenses: $4,038.65
Contribution highlights:
Range: $100 to $500
Biggest contributors: Christi Savage, Abilene, and Eric Bengs, both Abilene, $500
Notable contributors: None
Location: All list an Abilene address
Notable expenses: McShane LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada, for consulting, $1,500.
∎ WELDON HURT
Monetary contributions: $26,657.98
In-kind contributions: None
Total expenses: $22,826.90
Contribution highlights:
Range: $40 to $1,000
Biggest contributors: Shea Hall, Potosi, $1,000; Big Country Apartment Association, $1,000.
Notable contributors: Big Country Apartment Association
Location: Two list non-Abilene addresses (Baird and Potosi)
Notable expenses: $4,000 and $3,485 to KTXS-TV and $3,519 to KTAB-TV for advertising
∎ DAYAKAR DASI REDDY
Monetary contributions: $22,340
In-kind contributions: None
Total expenses: $12,010.33
Contribution highlights:
Range: $0 to $22,340
Biggest contributor: Dasi Reddy, Abilene, $22,340
Notable contributors: Candidate himself
Location: N/A
Notable expenses: $8,100 reimbursement to Emerald Twinkle; $1,000 twice to Charles Bryan, salary as campaign manager
Note: Emerald Twinkle is filed in New York state and Texas, DBA Spicy India restaurant and Reddy Construction.
Place 3
∎ SHAWNTE FLEMING
Monetary contributions: $1,811.23
In-kind contributions: $1,433.60
Total expenses: $2,485.77
Contribution highlights:
Range: $20 to $250
Biggest contributors: Wesley Anthony, Abilene, $250; Anthony Williams, Abilene, $1,433.60 in-kind contribution for block walking card.
Notable contributors: Williams, current mayor of Abilene
Location: All listed an Abilene address
Notable expenses: None
∎ BLAISE REGAN
Monetary contributions: $3,200
In-kind contributions: None
Total expenses: $15,967.68
Contribution highlights:
Range: $50 to $500
Biggest contributors: Darrin Black, Abilene; Joe Spano, Abilene; Cory Clements, Abilene; Kevin and Diana Regan, each $500
Notable contributors: Spano is a former City Council member
Location: All listed Abilene addresses
Notable expenses: $4,000 to KTXS-TV for advertising
∎ JAMES SARGENT
Monetary contributions: $1,273.86
In-kind contributions: $4,750
Total expenses: $3,016.51
Contribution highlights:
Range: $50 to $312.81
Biggest contributors: Tommie Evans, Tuscola, $312.81
Notable contributors: Patrick Fogle, Abilene, $3,575, website and media
Location: Two listed non-Abilene addresses (Two for Tuscola, total $412.81)
Notable expenses: None
Place 4
∎ SCOTT BEARD
Monetary contributions: $18,910
In-kind contributions: $30,815.99
Total expenses: $14,743.34
Contribution highlights:
Range: $25 to $1,000
Biggest contributors: Jeff Whitley, Fisco, $2,000; Rick and Cathey Weatherl, Abilene, $1,000
Notable contributors: Chris Carnohan, chairman of the Taylor County Republican Party ($100); former City Council member Steve Savage ($250 and $650); Remnant Church ($400), Hope Chapel Foursquare Church, Abilene ($200); Fountaingate, Merkel ($200)
Location: 22 listed non-Abilene addresses (5 Lubbock, 3 Hurst, 3 Merkel, 3 Tuscola, Albany, Anson, Buffalo Gap, Clyde, Hurst, Maryneal, Ovalo and San Diego, Calif., total $7,305)
Notable expenses: $5,700 to Mike Stephens, Lubbock, for printing expenses.
∎ BRIAN YATES
Monetary contributions: $8,355
In-kind contributions: None
Total expenses: $10,028.96
Contribution highlights:
Range: $5 to $1,000
Biggest contributors: W.W. Moutray III, Abilene, $1,000
Notable contributors: Jane Beard and Tucker Bridwell, Dian Graves Owen Foundation, $500 each; Norm Archibald, former mayor, Abilene, $250; Larry Gill and Joe Ed Canon, formerly with Dodge Jones Foundation
Location: Two listed a non-Abilene address (Buffalo Gap and Tuscola, total $300)
Notable expenses: $2,669 to KTAB-TV, $1,253.75 to KTXS-TV and $765 to KRBC-TV for advertising
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Mayoral candidate Hurt raises most money; Beard lists $30K in in-kind help
