Candidates in local court races and school board races attracted far less campaign dollars than commission or sheriff candidates, but are equally competitive.
The Clerk of Superior Court race is tight between incumbent Democrat Ruth Wilson and challenger Republican Holly Bowie. Both are within a few hundred dollars of each other, with Bowie edging out front with $1,650 in campaign contributions.
Bowie picked up a $150 contribution from Conyers-based Chapar Firm LLC, whose attorney, Albert Chapar, donated $250 individually to Jason Hill's Commissioner Chair campaign. Treasurer Jeff Reagan's small business Reagan's Pharmacy, donated another $150.
Bowie also received a $125 donation from bookkeeper and former elections board Republican member Lynn Brown of J. A. Brown Grading, Inc., whose husband now serves on the elections board. Brown also donated $125 to incumbent Chief Magistrate Judge Clarence Horne Jr. and $150 to incumbent Sheriff Wigington's campaign.
Wilson reported $1,025 total from several private donors, including $200 from current state District 95 Rep. Pamela Dickerson.
Chief Magistrate Judge incumbent and Republican Clarence "Rudy" Horne Jr. is down by a little less than $2000 against challenger attorney Democrat Phinia Aten. Horne's reported $5,548 comes mainly from private individuals. Wilson's Body Shop Inc. tied with Covington-based attorney Mario Ninfo for the highest contribution at $250.
Aten has raised $7,026 from a mix of attorneys, including several donations from the Conyers-based Roseberry & Washington firm, as well attorney Vernon Pitts of the Fulton County Public Defenders Office. Fulton County Superior Judge Bensonetta Lane gave $200. Her highest contributor was Aaron Frazier, a State Farm insurance agent in downtown Atlanta, with $1000.
Neither candidate in the Probate Judge race has filed contribution reports. Caycie Dix filed for intent to run as a candidate on April 4, which fell within the grace period for filing campaign disclosure reports. She did not have to report during this cycle.
Of all five incumbent school board members, only two - Wales Barksdale and Brad Smith - have reported campaign contributions.
Barksdale tops the list with $3, 495 in contributions. He has yet to report any donations from outside sources, or any expenditures.
As of the March 31 reports, Smith had $240 in contributions. However, he spent $265, leaving him a deficit of $25.
Challenger Kim Baker reported $391 in expenditures with no outside contributions. Most of her money was spent on website design and campaign cards produced by Nfused LLC of Kennesaw.
Challenger Tony Dowdy did not file a contribution report, according to the Secretary of State's website, www.sos.ga.gov.
