This year’s lone contested race for circuit judge shows the incumbent ahead in contributors and nearly doubling the pace of fundraising overall.
Campaign finance reports turned in this week showed Judge M. James Chaney with $22,993 raised and $10,373.66 spent through September. Chaney’s opponent in the Nov. 4 general election, Eddie Woods, reported $12,796.98 raised and $8,422.91 spent through last month. Woods is in his third term as justice court judge for Warren County’s northern district.
Chaney and Woods are vying for the 9th Circuit Court’s Subdistrict 2, which covers all or part of 15 precincts, including those outside Vicksburg city limits. Chaney was elected without opposition in 2010 after former Gov. Haley Barbour appointed him to the seat a year earlier following the retirement of 20-year judge Frank Vollor.
Largest among Chaney’s 18 campaign donations listed for the year to date on a periodic report submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office by a Friday deadline was a $1,000 gift from Foam Packaging Inc. Six contributions of $500 came from Amborn Brothers Rental, Dr. Martin V. Chaney, Dr. Robert C. Masterson, local resident Ernest Thomas, developer Richard Cowart Sr. and Robyn Lea Insurance Agency.
Biggest on Woods’ list of 12 donations was a $2,500 contribution from Mississippi Physicians PAC. Contractor Pete Buford gave $1,500 individually and another $1,000 via B.P. Buford LLC. Three other $1,000 gifts came from Vicksburg Womens Care Inc., businessman William Kitchens and real estate firm SJM&M LLC. Dr. Joseph Austin and Stephanie Austin gave $500 each; attorney Eugene Parker and Sarah Jane Parker gave $499.99 each.
The $35,789.88 raised by the two men is at roughly the same pace funds were raised the last time the circuit had a competitive race. In 2006, Vollor and attorney John Bullard had raised about $35,500 through September.
The 9th Circuit encompasses Warren, Sharkey and Issaquena counties. Its senior judge, Isadore Patrick, is unopposed this year. Patrick was first elected in 1989.
A final round of finance reports for all candidates in local races on the general election ballot is due Oct. 28. In Warren County, that includes the circuit court race, contests in Districts 3 and 4 on the Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees and special elections for circuit clerk and central district constable.