Professional contacts in the legal realm make up the bulk of Democratic mayoral candidate Paul Winfield’s primary campaign war chest, finance records indicate.

Winfield’s $41,973.99 in contributions since Jan. 1 easily outpaced his three rivals for the party’s nomination for the city’s top job.

A personal loan made up $19,000 of his funds raised for the finance reporting period for primary candidates that ended April 25. Another $5,399 came from attorneys mainly from Vicksburg and Jackson who were listed individually on campaign reports.

His campaign reported $38,867.24 in spending for the period, primarily on advertising and canvassing on select city intersections.

Though only $1,761 was totaled from listings of funds raised by his chief rival, Gertrude Young, the former North Ward Alderman reported $4,016 raised for the period. More than $1,000 of Young’s campaign income were individual contributions from she and her husband.

John Shorter reported individual contributions from Vicksburg residents totaling $2,000. Another $1,000 came from himself. The service contractor reported $2,000 in campaign spending, with $918.05 specified for printing costs.

Tommy Wright, whose campaign has been limited to signs and newsletters, reported the same figure for spending and contributions — $1,999.70— with much of the intake coming from the candidate.

Mayor Laurence Leyens, running for a third term as an independent, was not required to file a report with the primary candidates. General election candidates will file finance reports by May 26. Leyens had raised $72,000 at this point four years ago when a report was filed during primary season. The Committee to Elect Laurence Leyens has paid for election-related advertisements, however.

Both races for alderman were settled on qualifying day, when no one filed challenges to North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield and South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman. Though Beauman filed a termination report with the clerk’s office confirming no further financial activity for the balance of the campaign, Mayfield filed a pre-election report showing $4,450 had been raised for the period. His spending was reported at $1,891.49.

Candidates for municipal office in Mississippi report all campaign spending and contributions to respective city clerk’s offices. Contributions of more than $200 are to be specified in candidates’ submissions.

Candidates in races requiring runoffs are to file a pre-runoff report by May 12.

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Contact Danny Barrett Jr. at dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com