Tuesday's Savannah City Council elections draw large sums in campaigns donations

Savannah’s 2023 municipal races drew historic amounts of campaign donations this election cycle, according to candidate contribution disclosures.

The citywide at-large posts amassed some of the largest sums ever, and Mayor Van Johnson raised more than double his 2019 total. Some of the largest, and most frequent, donors come from Savannah’s development and business community.

Since Johnson’s first contribution disclosure of this campaign cycle, he has raised $412,401 ― $200,000 more than his first bid for mayor.

In the Post 1 At-Large race, Carol Bell raised $125,965. Pat Rossiter raised $166,185 in the Post 2 race. Rossiter’s total is the most for any candidate not named Van Johnson. For comparison, Rossiter’s competitor, incumbent Alicia Miller Blakely, raised $6,593. After Bell, the next most money raised in the Post 1 contest was $18,627 by Roshida Edwards.

Some of the big-name business interests cashing the largest donations include Landmark 24, HunterMacLean business law firm, and Plant Riverside. Between owners and the businesses themselves, donations often exceed $1,000 or brush up against the max of $3,300.

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The deluge of money and its sources invested in this year’s elections has drawn criticism, with some of those critiques coming on Johnson, who in 2019 criticized opponent Eddie DeLoach over his trove of contributions. Now, Johnson’s fundraising total rivals that of DeLoach’s.

Johnson’s most prominent opponent, Post 1 At-Large Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter, has made “not for sale” a calling card of her campaign, using it in social media posts and hashtags. Gibson-Carter has raised almost $11,000 this cycle, with only four contributions at $1,000 or more.

Others have said the high dollars and establishment contributors invite cynicism.

In an interview, Johnson acknowledged his lower fundraising total in 2019, saying such a thing meant he owed no favors to anyone. His voting record reflects that, and the bundle of donations this cycle point to support for his vision, Johnson said.

“I don’t see people buying into me,” Johnson said. “I see them buying into my program for the city.”

Still, Gibson-Carter took up the issue during city council’s Oct. 26 meeting, the last one before Tuesday’s election. Gibson-Carter took time at the end of the meeting to note she wants to discuss an ethics ordinance that would prevent council members from accepting contributions from individuals that present items to council for votes.

Many high-dollar contributors that donated to Johnson also trickle down the ballot, showing overlap with funders of Bell and Rossiter in the at-large races, and a few incumbents down ballot.

Here are a few examples:

• Hunter MacLean, or Hunter MacLean Georgia PAC, donated at least $500 each to Johnson, Bell and Rossiter. Contributions to Johnson total more than $3,000.

• David Paddison, president of Sterling Seacrest Prichard, donated at least $1,500 each to Johnson, Bell and Rossiter.

• Jerry C. Wardlaw, of Landmark 24 Realty and its homebuilding partner, Jerry Wardlaw Construction, donated at least $1,000 each to Johnson, Bell and Rossiter. Wardlaw’s contributions to Johnson totaled $3,000. Jack Wardlaw, also of Landmark 24 Realty, also donated $2,000 to Johnson.

But Johnson says it is not just high-dollar funders or businesses supporting his campaign. There’s nearly $16,000 listed on Johnson’s disclosures for individual contributions under $100, which are not required by law to be itemized.

He also received the support of some labor unions such as the Carpenters Local Union 256 and the International Longshoreman’s Association, Johnson said.

“I think if someone looks at our campaign solely financially, then they are missing the point of our comprehensive campaign,” Johnson said.

Evan Lasseter is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Van Johnson draws large donations in reelection bid