Published 7/3/20 in Hometown Headlines Floyd County sheriff’s finalists together raise nearly $200,000 in contributions. The latest campaign finance reports show Dave Roberson has raised more than $102,000 in his bid to be Floyd County’s next sheriff compared to $95,484 for Tom Caldwell.
Both Republicans are in runoff on Aug. 11 that will decide who replaces the retiring Tim Burkhalter in January; there is no Democratic challenger in November. Roberson is a major with the agency who is on leave during the campaign; Caldwell is the office’s former chief deputy. Ronnie Kilgo placed third in the June 9 primary.
Based on the reports for the period ending June 30, Roberson collected $27,750 in additional contributions with Caldwell close by with $21,698.
Kilgo, a Rome businessman, wasted no time in endorsing Roberson and has since contributed $500 to his campaign. Other donors include up to $4,000 from Burkhalter and his wife, Stephanie, as well as $5,000 from Harry and Terri Pierce, the sheriff’s sister and brother-in-law.
Caldwell received $1,000 from attorney Robert Finnell as well as from semi-retired businessman Roger Manis in addition to other contributions. Caldwell also lists $15,000 in loans to his campaign.
Expenditures for the reporting period: Roberson spent $21,341 in the most recent reporting period with Caldwell at $20,804. For entire campaign, through June 30, Caldwell had spent $85,172 while Roberson was at $70,059.
With six weeks left in the runoff campaign, Roberson had $32,054 in his account; Caldwell, $11,312. The next reports are due just prior to the Aug. 11 runoff.
Much of spending on both sides has gone to advertising with Roberson continuing to use Facebook ads as well as traditional sources, including billboards, signs and print ads. Caldwell has stayed traditional, including more than $3,000 in broadcast ads, signs, banners and one Facebook expenditure.