[7/11/03]The spending gap in the race for circuit clerk, which leads Warren County contests in candidates and spending, was narrowed during June, campaign-finance reports showed.

The June reports, due from all candidates by Thursday, showed Jack Grogan, 51, spent $4,394, more than any other candidate during the month in his bid to succeed the retiring Larry Ashley as Warren County circuit clerk. Now with a total spent for the campaign of $8,633, he narrowed the gap in spending between himself and Shelly Ashley-Palmertree, 33, who spent $2,354 during the month. With a total of $12,777 spent for the campaign, Ashley-Palmertree, who is Ashley’s daughter and a deputy circuit clerk, remains the overall spending leader.

They and Gil Culkin, 49, who reported spending $1,393 of his $1,535 total during the month, are to meet in an Aug. 5 Democratic party primary. The winner will face four other candidates, Republican Trey Miller, 36, who has reported no spending for the campaign, and independents Mike Caruthers, 48, Bertha Williams Conner, 55; and Fred Sherard, 40.

Caruthers reported spending $1,335 during June, for a campaign total of $3,311. Conner has reported a total spent of $1,120. And Sherard has reported no campaign spending.

With June’s reported spending, the candidates for the post together have spent $27,376. The post has a fee-based salary, which is capped at $83,600, making it one of the state’s highest-paid.

Of the 14 contested races for Warren County posts, the next-highest spending total, $8,863, has been posted in the race for District 1 supervisor.

Incumbent David McDonald, 53, spent $4,040 during June, bringing his campaign total to $6,451. McDonald’s Republican primary opponent, William Muirhead, 49, spent $175, bringing his total to $1,605. The winner will face independents Billy Boone, 53, with a total of $144 spent, Kenneth Downs, 39, with no spending reported, and Michael Terry, 56, who spent $175 during the month for a total of $807.

June reports accounted for all the reported spending in the race for Southern District Justice Court Judge. Democratic incumbent Joe Crevitt, 65, spent $1,992, while his opponent in the party’s primary, John Hunter, 62, spent $1,200. Republican Edward David Miller, 38, has reported no spending.

All but $686 of the $2,867 spent in the race for Central District Justice Court Judge was also spent during the month. Democrat Dora Smith, 56, has spent $1,381, the Democratic incumbent, Richard Bradford, 60, $920, and independent Anderson White II, $566.

During June in the race for District 3 supervisor, incumbent Democrat Charles Selmon, 43, spent $300, bringing his total campaign spending to $2,656. Independent Betty Jackson, 61, spent her entire total through June, $245.

District 5 Supervisor Richard George, 53, an independent, has spent $1,076. Independent Joe Wooley has spent $611, Democrat Frank Gardner, $175.

District 4 Supervisor Bill Lauderdale, 55, an independent, has spent $1,068, with independent Carl Flanders, 33, spending $299 and Republican Charles Stevens, age unavailable, $253. Independent Reginald King Sr., 56, has reported no spending.

In the race for county prosecutor, Richard Johnson, 49, has spent $574, and Clyde Ellis, 36, has reported no spending. Both are running as independents, seeking a post that is to be vacated by appointee Marcie Southerland, 49, who is running for state senator.

In the race for sheriff, Republican challenger Gary Lick, 52, has spent $420, with incumbent Martin Pace, 44, an independent, reporting no spending.

District 2 Supervisor Michael Mayfield Sr., 44, a Democrat, has spent $315. Independent challenger Tony Hart has reported no spending.

In the race for Central District constable, incumbent Rudolph Walker, 49, a Democrat, has reported no spending while independent James Jefferson, 42, has spent $175, all during June.

Edwin Woods, 38, the Republican candidate for Northern District Justice Court Judge, has reported the race’s only spending with a June total of $175. Also running for the post are independents W.B. Duggins Jr., 75, Bill Jeffers, 36, and Greg Kurtz, 36.

Northern District Constable Glenn McKay, 40, a Democrat, has reported the race’s only spending, $10. He is being challenged by independent Eddie Hoover, 38.

Neither John Henry Heggins, 40, the incumbent Democratic Southern District constable, nor independent challenger Victor Worrell, 42, has reported any campaign spending.

In the race for the House District 54 seat, Rep. Chester Masterson is to face Alex Monsour, 40, for the Republican nomination. Monsour has spent $6,676 and Masterson, $5,768 for a race total of $12,443 through June.

District 23 Sen. Mike Chaney, 59, a Republican, will face Southerland, a Democrat, in the general election. Chaney has spent $4,645 to Southerland’s $533.

And in the race for district attorney for Warren, Sharkey and Issaquena counties, challenger Richard Smith Jr., 44, has spent $3,126, while incumbent Gil Martin has spent $526.

None of the four county officeholders running unopposed for re-election has reported spending. District 55 Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, has reported spending $9,774, though he faces no opposition.

The reports allow voters to know who is supporting candidates with gifts of more than $200 each and where each is spending campaign funds. Those for county offices may be viewed in the Warren County Circuit Clerk’s Office, while those for multicounty offices are filed with the secretary of state’s office and are available through the Internet.

Other mandatory reports include those due prior to party primaries and runoffs if necessary, for candidates who will participate in each, and twice more before the general election for candidates in it.