ROCKINGHAM — Republican state Sen. Tom McInnis built on his exponential lead in fundraising over Democratic challenger Dannie Montgomery in the first quarter of 2016, raising five times more than his opponent.
Campaign finance reports filed with the State Board of Elections show McInnis raised $14,058.11 before the March 15 primary and Montgomery collected $2,658 in campaign contributions.
McInnis, an Ellerbe auction company executive running for his second term representing Senate District 25, has raised $36,420.91 in the 2016 election cycle. Montgomery, a Lilesville resident and Anson Middle School teacher, had $100 in her campaign account when the first quarter began, which places her total at $2,758.
Montgomery filed her first-quarter disclosure report Monday. McInnis’ report was filed two days ahead of the March 7 deadline, and his campaign also submitted three 48-hour notices for contributions of $1,000 or more received after the quarterly period but before the primary.
District 25 includes all of Anson, Richmond, Scotland and Stanly counties and a southeastern swath of Rowan County. Voters will choose between McInnis and Montgomery in the Nov. 8 general election.
McINNIS’ SUPPORTERS
Richmond Community College President Dale McInnis made a $250 contribution, Richard H. Johnson of Wadesboro chipped in $500, and Linda C. Frye and husband Hobart F. Frye Jr. of Hamlet gave $150 each, the disclosure forms show.
Alexander J. Perakis of Rockingham, whose occupation is listed as minister at McDonald Baptist Church, contributed $1,000, business executive Ronald M. Cameron of Little Rock, Arkansas, pitched in $1,250 and McInnis campaign treasurer Ronda Webb of Rockingham made an in-kind contribution of $8.11 for postage.
Pam Easterling of Rockingham, the owner of Sandhills Alternative School and a former Richmond County school board member, made a $2,500 contribution on March 4 that was reported on a 48-hour notice form after the initial disclosure report was filed.
Duke Energy’s political action committee pitched in $!,500, Rural Electric Action Program, the state’s electric cooperatives PAC, gave $1,000 and the CSX Good Government Committee contributed $250.
Committee contributions were also received from the State Employees Association of North Carolina’s EMIPAC ($500), the Nationwide Carolina Political Participation Fund ($2,000), the N.C. Realtors PAC ($2,000) and the Friends of Forestry PAC ($1,000). The two latter contributions were reported on 48-hour notices.
MONTGOMERY’S BACKERS
Dr. June St. Clair Atkinson, North Carolina’s state superintendent of public instruction, made a $100 contribution to the veteran teacher’s campaign. Gene McLaurin, a former Rockingham mayor who represented District 25 in the state Senate from 2012-14, kicked in $250.
Anson Academy Principal Preston Waddell made a $75 contribution and Anson County Commissioner Vancine Sturdivant added $100. Sam and Bernice Bennett of Lilesville pitched in $100, Lilesville retiree Juanita Williams contributed $50 and Rockingham retiree Elizabeth Evans donated $150.
Montgomery gave $700 to her campaign in cash contributions and made in-kind contributions totaling $450, according to her disclosure report.
Derrick Montgomery of Fayetteville is credited with a $150 in-kind contribution for providing personal transportation and social media training and Elizabeth Evans of Rockingham provided transportation to a campaign event valued at $50.
Montgomery also collected $533 in aggregated contributions from individuals. State election laws don’t require donors’ names, addresses and occupations to be logged for campaign contributions of less than $50.
The 33 contributions range from $3 in cash to a $40 check. Eight cash donations of $6 apiece are listed on campaign finance forms.
Reach Editor Corey Friedman at 910-817-2670 and follow him on Twitter @corey_friedman.
