Rep. Debra Young Maggart is unchallenged to date as she is the only person to pick up a petition so far in House District 45. Maggart reported an ending balance of $96,732.78 on her latest individual campaign finance disclosure due Jan. 31 for the period of July 1, 2011, to Jan. 15, 2012. This will be the first election cycle under new redistricting lines approved by the General Assembly in January.

Maggart also has a leadership Political Action Committee named Maintaining Our Majority or MOM PAC which had a beginning balance of $4,316.90 and an ending balance of $9,533.74. MOM PAC raised $5,750 with $5,000 from Comptroller Justin Wilson, $500 from Tennessee R.J. Reynolds PAC, and $250 from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

Maggart was quick to point out the $106,266.52 in both accounts tallies over $100,000. As to raising funds, Maggart touted her success in an e-mail release to supporters.

It reads: “I am humbled by the incredible level of support and trust I have received from our community,” stated Maggart, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Republican Caucus. “Serving the good people of Sumner County has been an honor and I know this scope of financial support is rare for a legislator, especially in tough economic times as these. I am grateful for the trust the voters of Sumner County have shown in my abilities as their Representative.”

Her beginning balance was $36,446.56 in the individual candidate account. Her reported ending balance was $96,732.78. She reported a loan from herself of $2,500.

Maggart reported that she raised $68,867.89 from 162 contributions besides her self-endorsed loan Jan. 9 to arrive at total receipts of $71,367.89. Of contributions, $49,989.89 came from 68 Political Action Committees that tilt decidedly towards incumbents, especially legislative leaders. Contributions of $2,350 from other legislative candidates include $2,000 from Senator Ron Ramsey who is the Lt. Governor by virtue of being Senate Speaker, $250 from House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, and $100 from Senator Kerry Roberts.

Contributions totaled $16,528 from non-candidate individuals of which $10,403 is either local money based on ZIP Codes within Sumner County or could be identified as being an immediate relative or Sumner County friend with a Nashville addresses, including $100 from her father and $500 from Bill Sinks Jr.

SD18

In Senate District 18, candidate Ferrell Haile of Cairo also remains unchallenged to date. He picked up his petition Feb. 6 but had not returned it by press time. However, Jeff Coker of Hendersonville appointed a campaign treasurer after the end of the reporting period and indicated he is clearing the decks to devote time for a run. He had not picked up a petition by deadline.

Haile reported $6,600 in unitemized contributions. He loaned his campaign $20,000 and contributed $5,000. Net adjusted itemized contributions appear to be $59,425 for a total of $66,025 from 99 contributions.

Two contributions came from PACS: $2,500 from Hometown Pharmacy PAC and $1,500 from APCI PAC. Haile, a long-time independent pharmacist, recently sold his interest in Perkins Drugs in Gallatin. A number of pharmacists and drug stores or centers contributed as individuals. A keyword search of “drug” showed 17 hits and “pharm” shows 28 hits for pharmacist or pharmacy either as contributor, employer, or occupation. Overlapping somewhat was 23 hits for “D PH” 22 being occupation and one random.

“The first quarter was really surprising. We exceeded any expectation that we had back when we started in December. We did that in about 20 days from when we actually started receiving money. I was really pleased with that and the second quarter is well under way,” stated Haile. “It seems that folks are energized by our campaign and we are continuing to get out and talk with people and visit and trying to attend as many events as possible.”

Most of the contributions have Tennessee addresses with some from Alabama, Indiana, and Kentucky. Major donors include $1,400 each from David Black of Gallatin, Lynne Bradley of Brentwood, Kenneth Brown of Gallatin, Kailin Davidson of Adams, L.A. Green III of Gallatin, Larry Hadley of Frankfort, KY, Ray Marcrom of Manchester, and Don Sloan of Springfield.

Those contributing $1,000 include James Bundy of Paris, Charles Chadwell of New Tazewell, Timothy Chandler of Knoxville, Nancy Cohen of Gallatin, Alan Corley of Greeneville, Jerry Duren of Waynesboro, John B. Garrott Jr. of Gallatin, Alice LaFoy of Maryville, Lottie McCormick of Gallatin, Travis McCormick of Gallatin, Floyd Porter of Gallatin, Joseph Snyder of Erwin, Charles Stephens of Lebanon, Thomas Whitworth of LaGrange, and Michael Zinser of Gallatin.

Starting from a zero balance, Haile showed a net intake of $84,775 in post-adjustment contributions or $64,775 disregarding his loan. The total balance is offset by $5,014.33 in outstanding obligations resulting in $79,760.67 or $59,760.67 disregarding the loan.

Petitions for other races

Candidates for the Aug. 2 General Assembly and Congressional seats could begin picking up petitions Feb. 6 as well as those running for non-partisan school board seats. The state delayed the process one month to allow time for redistricting bills to become law.

William G. Lamberth of Cottontown picked up a petition for the HD44 Republican primary and HD44 Rep. Mike McDonald picked up one for the Democratic primary.

Even-numbered districts are up this year for school board seats. According to the most recent online posting at the Election Office as of press deadline, Tim Brewer of Hendersonville returned his petition for District 2. Beth Cox of Hendersonville returned hers for District 4. Nancy Glover of Gallatin returned hers for District 6. Danny Hale picked up one for District 6 but had not returned it.  Ted Wise of Cottontown picked up a petition for District 8 but has not returned it. Teddy D. Baird and Glen Gregory, both of Portland, picked up petitions for District 10 but neither returned it.