Jeff Mullis — who held the state Senate District 53 seat for more than 20 years before retiring in 2022 — is backing the challenger to his successor.
Angela Pence of Chickamauga is challenging incumbent Colton Moore of Trion in the May 21 Republican primary, for the seat Moore won two years ago. The district covers all of Chattooga, Dade, Walker and Catoosa counties, along with Armuchee and northwest Floyd.
Early voting continues through Friday, May 17. Election day, the last day to cast a ballot, is Tuesday, May 21.
Financial reports detailing the candidates’ campaign activity through April 30 were due to the state ethics commission by Tuesday, May 7, at midnight.
Mullis is among the major donors listed on the report filed by Pence, a Chickamauga native, mother of nine, military wife, community volunteer and small business owner.
She reported a total of $3,660 in contributions, including $500 each from Mullis, Bobby Teems of Chickamauga, Wilson Styles of Rossville and Heidi Lamb of Chickamauga. Summerville attorney Kenneth Bruce contributed $1,500 just before the reporting deadline.
Since she got into the race in mid-March, Pence has spent $1,958, leaving her with $1,702 cash on hand. Her expenses covered radio ads, campaign paraphernalia and a sponsorship at the Jayhawk Music & Arts Festival in Chickamauga.
Moore, who had a nest egg from his previous campaign, reported $9,681 in contributions between Feb. 1 and April 30, and expenditures of $33,934. That left him with $24,410 cash on hand along with outstanding debt of $13,989.
Major donors included Dalton carpet wholesaler Edward Caldwell at $3,145, just under the $3,300 limit; Timothy Darnell of Powder Springs, $1,000; , a dot com out of Las Vegas, $750; and the campaign fund for Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, $500.
Much of MooreÐÔÊӽ紫ý funding came in small-dollar donations from people around the country.
Nearly $15,000 in expenses went to campaign consultants and salaries — $3,500 to Blake Basshan, Georgia legislative director for the State Freedom Caucus Network and the rest to Delaware-based 5411, LLC. Travel, lodging and meals for the candidate, his spouse and staff also accounted for thousands in spending.
Moore also reported a $500 donation to the New Salem Fire ÐÔÊӽ紫ý in Rising Fawn and a $3,300 donation to Michael Gargiulo, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary to seek a state senate seat in Gwinnett County.
Moore is a Dade County native, auctioneer, truck driver and outspoken officer of the Georgia House Freedom Caucus. His term has been marred by conflicts with his own majority party. He was expelled from the SenateÐÔÊӽ紫ý Republican caucus and barred from the House by its Republican speaker.
The winner of the GOP primary will go up against Democrat Bart Alexander Bryant in November.
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