McCullough tops in funds

Commercial Appeal - McCullough tops in funds - Less than two weeks before the primaries, congressional candidate Glenn McCullough, hoping to represent a district that includes DeSoto County, has raised more money than any of his opponents, including Southaven Mayor Greg Davis. McCullough, former Tupelo mayor, raised $334,061, about $66,800 more than Davis, who is in his third term as mayor of DeSoto County's largest city.

Davis came in second in fundraising with $267,255 from a list of four candidates whose reports for contributions through Feb. 20 were posted by the Federal Election Commission by late Friday.

Democratic candidate Travis Childers came in third with $175,297.94 in contributions and loans, according to Federal Election Commission reports released this week.

Republican candidate Randy Russell came in fourth with $161,394 from individual contributors, loans and PAC money, according to his finance report.

Reports on Democratic candidates Marshall Coleman, Steve Holland and Brian Neely were not posted by the FEC by late Friday.

Davis' supporters included many area homemakers, bankers and business owners but also from Memphis developer Jack Belz, who donated $333.35. Folks Folly restaurant owner, Humphrey Folk gave $1,000. State Farm agent Barry Bouchillon donated $750. DeSoto County Chancery Court Clerk W. E. (Sluggo) Davis donated $2,000, while Davis' wife, Wanda Davis, gave $1,000. DeSoto education Supt. Milton Kuykendall donated $1,000. He also received donations from many Realtors and builders, including Barry Bridgforth of Bridgforth Realty in Olive Branch and Memphis developer Hal Crenshaw, who each donated $2,300. Tyne Brownlow of NAI Saig Real Estate donated $500 and Southaven builder Jerry Chambliss donated $1,000. Former Memphis city councilman Brent Taylor donated $2,300. Southaven Alderman Greg Guy also donated $2,300. The finance reports showed Davis spent $206,396 in his campaign with the largest sum, $108,246, going to Anthem Media of Austin, Texas, for his television shoot and television ads.

McCullough said contributions to his campaign reflect broad support within the district for him. Of 24 counties that are part of the district, contributions have been received from people associated with 18 of those counties. An itemized list of the contributions, which can be viewed at fec.gov, shows contributions to McCullough from a broad spectrum of the public. The list includes only a few contributors from DeSoto County. The wife of former Hernando Mayor Ed Gale and homemaker Suzy Marcy of Nesbit are listed as having given $500 each, and Olive Branch broker Bryan Shaver is listed as having given $1,000. Two Memphians are listed: Rush O'Keefe Jr., senior vice president and general counsel of FedEx, with a $2,300 contribution, and real estate developer Henry M. Turley Jr., with a $2,300 contribution. McCullough's campaign expenses totaled $142,914, including $68,092.24 for "media and polling" and $18,895.57 for a mass mailing.

On Friday at a news conference, McCullough criticized Davis not accepting an invitation to debate him Tuesday in Aberdeen. Davis' campaign manager, Ted Prill, responded by saying the mayor had a prior commitment and the opponents have already been and will be in several question-and-answer forums together.