[6/11/03]Democrat candidate for Warren County Circuit Clerk Shelly Ashley-Palmertree is leading the pack locally this election season spending $10,422 so far in her campaign to follow her father in the post.

Candidates in 14 contested county races were required to turn in second periodic finance disclosure reports Tuesday for any spending or donations over $200. Ashley-Palmertree, 33, is one of seven seeking the clerk’s job and has spent more than twice the amount of any other candidate in any local race.

According to the reports, which include contributions and itemized spending, Ashley-Palmertree has spent the most on campaign materials from H&M Promotions of Vicksburg.

Other reports in that race show Democrat Jack Grogan, 51, spending $5,103 and independent candidates Mike Caruthers, 47, $1,976 and Bertha Williams Conner, 55, $1,120. Also in the contest to replace Larry Ashley, who is retiring, are Democrat Gil Culkin, 49, Republican Trey Miller, 36, and independent Fred Sherard, 40, none of whom reported any spending.

The circuit clerk is paid a fee-based salary capped at $83,600 a year. It is one of the highest paid elected positions in the state.

Party primaries will be Aug. 5 with runoffs on Aug. 26. Party nominees will face independents in the general election on Nov. 4.

In the races for Warren County’s five supervisors’ posts, the most spending has been in District 1, where five candidates are seeking the $37,343-a-year post. So far, the biggest spender in that race has been incumbent David McDonald, 53, a Republican seeking his second term who has spent $2,410 and raised $6,700.

Others who reported spending in that race are Republican William Muirhead, 48, who reported spending $1,430, and independent candidates Billy Boone, 53, $74, and Michael Terry, 56, $631. Kenneth Downs, 38, who is also an independent candidate in District 1 reported no spending so far.

In the District 2 race, incumbent Michael Mayfield, 45, Democrat, and independent challenger Tony Hart, no age available, both reported no spending. Incumbent Charles Selmon, 43, a Democrat seeking his third term from District 3, reported spending $2,110 while his challenger, independent candidate Betty Jackson, 61, reported no spending.

The biggest spending reported in the District 4 race so far was by Republican Charles Stevens with $297 in his bid to unseat incumbent Bill Lauderdale, 55, an independent seeking his fifth term, who spent $54. Other candidates running in District 4 are independents Carl Flanders, 33, and Reginald King Sr., 56, who both reported no spending.

In the race for District 5 Supervisor incumbent Richard George, 53, reported spending $850 and independent Joe Wooley, 60, $201. Democrat Frank Gardner Jr., 45, reported no spending or contributions.

In the race for district attorney for the state’s 9th Circuit Court District, which is made up of Warren, Sharkey and Issaquena counties, challenger Ricky Smith, 44, reported spending 2,678, and incumbent Gil Martin, 58, reported spending $528. Both are running as independents.

In addition to state and district offices, ballots this fall will include:

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace, 44, will be running as an independent and will face Gary Lick, 52, a Republican, who both reported no spending.

Seeking his second term in office, District 54 Rep. Chester Masterson, 70, reported spending $3,163. He will face challenger Alex Monsour, 40, in the Republican primary, who reported spending $4,564.

In the Senate District 23 race, incumbent Mike Chaney, 59, Republican, who reported spending $1,950, will face off with Democrat Marcie Tanner Southerland, 49, who reported no spending.

Seeking to fill the post of Warren County prosecutor will be independent candidates Clyde Ellis, 36, who reported no spending; and Richard Johnson, 49, who reported spending $574.

In the race for the Warren County constable posts will be incumbent Glenn McKay, 40, Democrat, and independent Eddie Hoover, 38, in the Northern District; incumbent Rudolph Walker, 49, Democrat, and independent James Jefferson, 42, in the Central District; and incumbent John Henry Heggins, 40, Democrat, and independent Victor Worrell, 41, in the Southern District. None of the constable candidates reported any spending.

Central District Justice Court Judge Richard Bradford, 59, a Democrat, will be challenged by Democrat Dora Smith and independent candidate Anderson White II, who reported spending $728.

In the Northern District justice court judge’s race, Republican Eddie Woods, 38, will face off with independent candidates W.B. Duggins, 75; Bill Jeffers, 35; and Greg Kurtz, 36.

Incumbent Southern District Justice Court Judge Joe Crevitt, 65, a Democrat, will also face Democrat challenger John Hunter, 62; and Republican Edward D. Miller, 38.