[5/13/03]The Warren County race with the most candidates is the one seeing the most early spending, according to the first round of required campaign spending reports.

Three of the seven candidates for circuit clerk reported spending money, with Democrat Shelly Ashley-Palmertree, 33, leading at $8,294 spent.

Independent candidates Mike Caruthers, 47, and Bertha Williams Conner, 55, reported spending of $1,845 and $1,120, respectively. Also in the contest to replace Larry Ashley, who is retiring, are Democrats Gil Culkin, 49, and Jack Grogan, 51, Republican Trey Miller, 36, and independent Fred Sherard, 40.

Party primaries are Aug. 5, and the general election is Nov. 4.

In all, the circuit clerk’s race is one of 20 contested this year for 26 offices on local ballots. Of the 68 candidates in those races, initial campaign-finance reports were available from 58. Of those, 24 reported spending a total of $38,431 during the reporting period, January through April.

Four more reports are due from office seekers to allow voters to know who is supporting them with gifts of more than $200 each and where they are spending campaign cash. Post-election reports are also required of all candidates.

Of the 14 contested races for Warren County posts, the second-highest total, $2,500, was spent on that for District 1 Supervisor. Republican William Muirhead, 48, reported spending $1,430, the most so far in that race.

Independent Michael Terry, 56, reported spending $632, and incumbent Republican David McDonald, 53, $438 with $5,462 cash on hand. The other candidates in the race, independents Billy Boone, 53, and Kenneth Downs, 38, and Republican Jerry Rushing, 43, reported no spending or contributions.

The race for District 5 Supervisor posted the third-highest spending total among county posts, with incumbent Richard George, 53, spending $850 and independent Joe Wooley, 60, $201. Democrat Frank Gardner Jr., 45, reported no spending or contributions.

In the race for District 3 Supervisor, $997 was reportedly spent, all by incumbent Charles Selmon, 43. Independent Betty Barnes Jackson reported no spending or contributions.

In the six area races for multicounty posts, candidates reported spending $21,170. The spending leader was in the one of the six races that is uncontested, that for District 55 representative, held by Rep. George Flaggs, 50. He reported spending $7,395, including a $250 contribution to the campaign of Sen. Barbara Blackmon, who is running for lieutenant governor.

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 $668 and incumbent Gil Martin, 58, reported no spending or contributions. Both are running as independents.

Of contested area legislative races, the most was spent in that for District 36 senator, which includes Claiborne County. E. Vincent Davis, 39, spent $1,056 and Johnnie McDaniels, 37, $1,870. Both are running as Democrats. Democratic incumbent Lynn Posey, 48, and Charles Stogner, age unavailable, reported no spending or contributions.

Ashley-Palmertree’s spending included $6,134 to H & M Promotional Products of Vicksburg on items including signs and T-shirts, $1,075 to The Print Shop on cards and door hangers and $520 to The Vicksburg Post on advertising.

Her campaign received contributions of $7,094 from her husband and herself.

Campaign-finance reports for county races are filed with and available for viewing at the circuit clerk’s office, but are not available on the Internet. Forms for multicounty races are filed with the secretary of state and are available online at www.sos.state.ms.us.