ANALYSIS: 5 Takeaways From January Fundraising For West Alabama Candidates

MONTGOMERY, AL — Wednesday marked the filing deadline for monthly campaign finance reports in Alabama legislative races, so Patch took an even closer look to bring the campaigns into context.

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The next deadline for candidates to file campaign finance reports will be due with the Alabama Secretary of State's Office on March 2.

ALSO READ: PACs Spent $84K In January On West Alabama Legislative Races

The latest fundraising period covers contributions and expenditures made between Jan. 1 through Jan. 31. Party primary elections in Alabama are set for May 24, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 8.

Here are our biggest takeaways from the January fundraising period.

1. Powell closes gap in Senate District 21 race

• Tripp Powell, a Republican from Tuscaloosa and longtime businessman, loaned $100,000 to his own war chest in the lead-up to the GOP Primary against incumbent Sen. Gerald Allen. Powell's overall cash on hand total now sits at roughly $177,000 — compared to Allen's $192,804.35.
• Lisa Ward, a Lake View Democrat, is taking a more grassroots approach on the campaign trail and reported nearly $15,000 in cash on hand, without a dime from any political action committees (PACs). In January alone, Ward received nearly two-dozen itemized cash contributions from individual donors.

2. Bolton well ahead on fundraising after getting challenger in House District 61

• Retired Northport Police Captain and GOP candidate Ron Bolton reported $34,105.28 in cash on hand at the end of the latest reporting period.
• Bolton's challenger in the Republican Primary — former west Alabama radio personality and conservative podcaster Kimberly A. Madison — filed her monthly campaign finance report with the Secretary of State's Office, but did not report any contributions as she kicks off what she intends to be a "nontraditional" campaign.
• In addition to PAC money received by Bolton, he also made headway with local businesses, securing the following corporate donations in January: Hunter Brown Law LLC ($250); Law Office of Jason Neff ($1,000). He also received a $100 donation from Northport City Attorney Ron Davis.
• Madison reported $1,079.21 in in-kind contributions from her own pocket toward her campaign coffers, with no expenditures mentioned in the filing.

3. Unopposed Incumbents have big fundraising month

• In total, three unopposed Democratic incumbents in west Alabama received $58,925 in contributions during January, compared to $13,624.69 received by Democrats in four contested races during this same fundraising period.
• State Rep. Kyle South, a Republican from Fayette, led the way in total fundraising across the aisle in west Alabama during January, pulling in $30,850 during the latest reporting period. He is running unopposed to represent House District 16.

4. Businesses donate $26K to different campaigns in January

• A total of 18 business, mostly from west Alabama, donated money to five different campaigns in January. Here's a look at the candidates and who they received money from.
• State Sen. Gerald Allen (R): Harless & Co. ($1,000); Mainstreet Builders Inc. ($300); The Builders Group ($2,500); Trick Construction ($1,500) and WBBH Investments ($1,000)
• Lisa Ward (D): ACT BLUE ($41.47)
• State Sen. Bobby Singleton (D): Advance Financial Administration LLC (2,000); LKQ Corporation North American HQ ($1,000); Pfizer ($1,000) and Titlemax ($1,000)
• State Rep. Kyle South (R): Alabama ACRE ($1,000); Bradley Arant ($1,000); Charter ($5,000); Curo Management ($1,000); Pfizer ($500); Regions ($1,000); Alabama CULAC ($1,000); Matrix LLC ($500)
• State Rep. Chris England (D): Greenetrack Inc. ($3,000)

5. Democratic challengers in House races lag GOP counterparts in fundraising, spending

• Longtime Tuscaloosa County CFO Bill Lamb has gotten out to a strong early fundraising lead, with $31,040.62 currently on hand. His challenger, Tuscaloosa Democrat Brenda T. Cephus has yet to file her monthly campaign finance report with the Alabama Secretary of State's Office, despite qualifying last week with the Alabama Democratic Party.
• In the House District 63 race, Republican incumbent State Rep. Cynthia Almond reports $116,919.67 in cash on hand, while her Democratic opponent, Samuel Adams, has only received $1,034.68 in the form of an in-kind donation from Alice Dilbeck of Harvest, Alabama, for administrative services.

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