The three candidates for mayor of Roswell are within shouting distance of one another in funds raised.
According to the campaign contribution disclosure reports for the period ending June 30, Jere Wood, the mayoral incumbent, had $13,351 in available funds. Councilman David Tolleson had $10,229 and Councilwoman Lori Henry reported $9,125.
Wood, who didn’t formally announce his intent to seek another term until June 26, shows just a $25 contribution in the reporting period.
“I hadn’t started my campaign yet and Henry [Wing] sent me $25. It was unsolicited,” Wood said.
The money in his account is a carryover from his last campaign four years ago.
“I’ll be holding a fundraiser in August,” Wood said. “I’m charged up and energized. I think having competition [in the mayoral race] is good. Keeps you on your toes.”
Wood’s only expenditure was a $1,500 contribution to the Fulton County Republican Party. He lists $718 in in-kind donations, which are donations of goods or services rather than cash.
Tolleson made his official announcement July 12, but had been informally laying the financial groundwork for almost two months prior. His list of contributors in May includes prominent Roswell East opponent L.W. “Tuck” Tucker and his wife, Patricia. Sarah Winner, property manager and Roswell planning commission member and former councilwoman Paula Winiski are among several individuals who donated in June. He lists $24.60 in expenditures and no in-kind donations.
Tolleson, who would have been up for re-election for his seat in two years, has cleared out his council campaign account, as has Councilwoman Henry, who would be up for re-election this year.
Henry’s mayoral race financial report shows $9,125 in donations, $1,439 in in-kind donations and $4,699 in expenses. On her contributors list is Kevin Caldwell, vice chair of the city’s design review board, businessman H. Tolbert Yilmaz, former mayor Pug Mabry and architect Arie Kohn, who sits on the historic preservation commission.
“I’m very pleased with where we were [financially] after our initial campaign kick-off, particularly in this economy. That’s not to say we don’t need to continue to raise money, but this is a good start,” Ms. Henry said. “We’re doing all the groundwork right now and our goal has been to really ramp it up in August.”
Councilmen Jerry Orlans and Kent Igleheart, both running for re-election, have little in their coffers but have not been actively campaigning. Orlans has $1,266 in the kitty and Iglehear’s disclosure report shows a zero
balance.