Candidates pump money into election

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 14, 2004

The two candidates squaring off in today’s Alabama Senate election have raised nearly $100,000, combined, to win this race. That’s about $30,000 more than they took in before the Oct. 26 Democratic primary.

Bobby Singleton, a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, and Thomas Moore, a Demopolis city councilman, square off in today’s Democratic Party run-off for the District 24 seat in the Alabama Senate. The winner will face unopposed Republican nominee James Carter in the general election next month.

In federally mandated campaign finance reports, State Rep. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, reported raising $55,525 since he and Moore finished ahead of State Rep. Bryant Melton Jr., of Tuscaloosa in the October primary.

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Moore trailed Singleton in the run-off contributions, raising $39,518. Since both candidates announced their intentions to run, however, Moore has received contributions of $82,268 while Singleton supporters have pitched in with $77,325.

While Moore’s money has come from donors close to home, Singleton has virtually spanned the eastern half of the United States to fund his campaign. Kraft Foods Global Inc., based in New Castle, Del., sent Singleton a $500 contribution. He received another $3,000 from the Consumer Lending Alliance with an address in Tallahassee, Fla.

Singleton’s largest contributions came from the Tennessee Valley Citizens for Education political actions committee ($10,000); Alabama Voices of Teachers PAC ($10,000); and the Alabama Democratic Conference Election Trust Fund ($5,000).

Moore’s largest check came from Progress PAC in Montgomery ($10,000). He also received $5,000 from A-Vote, while four contributors sent him $2,500 each.

With more than $55,000 in the bank for this run-off, Singleton made sure people who listen to the radio listened to him. The Greensboro candidate spent $16,500 in advertising dollars with radio stations in the area. Of that money, $10,000 was used to flood the Tuscaloosa market. Singleton spent $10,000 in advertising dollars with WQZZ in the largest city in District 24.

Singleton also used his money to hire the administrative help of William Kendrick in Sawyerville. According to campaign finance reports, Singleton paid Kendrick $7,350 for administrative work.

Moore spent about one-fourth of what Singleton spent on radio advertisements. The Demopolis councilman wrote checks totaling $4,947.50 to radio stations in the area, with most of that money going to the Tuscaloosa market, as well.

Moore’s other large expenditure was paid to the Alabama New South Coalition. In his campaign finance report, Moore paid ANSC $7,500 for polling.

To view complete campaign contributions and expenditures, log on to the Alabama Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.state.al.us/.