HAMPTON — Local campaign fundraising is down for Hampton mayoral and City Council candidates this year compared to recent elections, but thousands of dollars are still churning through many local campaigns.
Mayor George Wallace, running for re-election, has more than double the cash on hand as his challenger, council member Donnie Tuck, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks campaign financing in Virginia.
This year, Wallace’s campaign has brought in $26,270. Combined with $6,827 he had left over from previous elections, Wallace had $33,097 to work with as of the most recent financial filings on April 21.
His fundraising in 2016 is lagging behind what he brought in for previous elections. Wallace spent $56,207 in 2008’s council race and $35,429 in 2012, according to VPAP. Wallace won both races.
Tuck has raised $14,916 this year. His fundraising is better than his previous council campaigns, but this year he’s still behind what he spent on his failed 2012 mayoral challenge against Molly Ward. Tuck spent more than $20,000 on that race — Ward outspent him more than 5 to 1 to win re-election, according to VPAP.
Fundraising in the city’s council races is more lopsided, and largely favors incumbents. In the general council race, the three incumbents have each raised several thousand dollars; challengers Shree Green and Jim Nieder haven’t raised a dime.
Businessman and council incumbent Billy Hobbs is the biggest fundraiser, with $15,521 landing in his war chest this year. Hobbs spent nearly $50,000 on the race to win his seat in 2012.
Councilwoman Chris Snead, the city’s former budget director, has brought in $10,586 for this election — a little more than a quarter of what she spent on her successful 2012 council run.
Linda Curtis has received $8,528 in donations, the only candidate who’s fundraising has increased over her previous council race so far.
The special election for the remaining two years of Tuck’s term shows former Hampton assistant city manager Jimmy Gray with $18,186. His opponent, local business owner Edwin Boone, has raised nothing for the race.
Candidate financial reports include anything raised as of April 21. Contributions made during the final stretch of the campaign will be reported later.
Some familiar names crop up in the donor lists this year. Former Hampton Mayor Jimmy Eason has given to Wallace and the three incumbent council members.
Hampton University President William Harvey has given $350 to Tuck and $250 to Wallace. He gave $250 to Curtis.
Jack Ezzell, CEO of Hampton-based Zeltech, has given a few hundred dollars to Wallace, Gray and Snead.
Realtors and home-builders also seem to have an interest in Hampton’s elections. The Virginia Association of Realtors gave Wallace $1,000. Curtis, Hobbs, Snead and Gray also got money from the statewide real estate agents’ group, which is a big spender in races around Virginia.
Cathryne Garrett, a Poquoson Realtor, gave $1,000 to Tuck as one of his leading donors. A smattering of large property owners and home-builders have also given to several candidates.
Murphy can be reached by phone at 757-247-4760.
Fundraising tallies for Hampton 2016 local elections as of April 21
Mayor
George Wallace (I): $26,270
Donnie Tuck: $14,916
City Council
Chris Snead (I): $10,586
Linda Curtis (I): $8,528.00
Billy Hobbs (I): $15,521
Shree Green: $0
Jim Nieder: $0
Special Election
Jimmy Gray: $18,186
Edwin Boone: $0
