Goliath Financially Towering Over Davids in Commissioner Race

Here’s a rundown of the funds raised so far by all candidates for the Hoke County Commission. Is a $24,000 lead rock proof?

Democrats

Thirty-two-year incumbent James A. Leach (D) has set a high fundraising bar for others vying for two open seats on the Hoke County Commission. As previously reported, during the primary The Committee to Re-Elect James A. Leach received a total of $25,000 in donations. All the money arrived during the months of January and February of this year, with more than 90 percent of it coming from outside the county. No donations arrived in March and April, or through May 24, when the document was filed.

The Committee to Elect Mary Blue McCollum (D) filed its financial report on July 10. It received an anonymous donation of $29 on April 15.

Both candidates won in the primary and will be among the names voters can select on November’s ballot. They earned 1,910 and 1,591 votes, respectively. A total of 5,893 ballots were cast in the primary election.

Those candidates who failed to garner enough votes to appear on November’s ballot include current Hoke County Commissioner Bobby Wright (D). He placed third with 1,075 votes and will be relinquishing his seat on the board. He was also among the candidates either not accepting donations or who did not have enough to reach the $1,000 fundraising level that requires reports to be filed with the Hoke County Elections office.

The Committee to Elect Deborah McMillan Evans Hoke County Commissioner received $914 in donations by July 10. She also failed to advance.

Other Democrats no longer in the race with no financial reports filed include Shemicka Monroe, Lent Christopher Carr II and John F. Harry.

Republicans

There are only two Republican candidates for Hoke County Commission, so there was no primary voting. The Committee to Elect David Frump Hoke County Commissioner filed its report with the Hoke County Board of Elections on July 8. It did not collect any donations from Feb. 18 to June 30, but following the letter of the law it reported Frump’s $1,000 “loan” to his election committee for seed money to help fund his run for office.

Stephanic Carter is the other Republican candidate. Her committee did not file any financial disclosures.  

$25,000—James A. Leach

$1,000—Frump (loan from himself to get started)

$29—Mary Blue McCollum

$0—Stephanie Carter

Cost

Running for a seat on the Hoke County Commission is not free and there are other requirements than just a filing fee. Oddly, it costs nearly double to run for commissioner than what it takes to run for a seat in North Carolina’s senate or house.

Here’s a look at the fees if you’re interested.

And don’t forget to get your “Fire Leach ‘24” T-shirts while they last.