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Kemp continues to show wide local fundraising lead
Brian Kemp
Georgia Governor, Brian Kemp. - photo by Special Photo

COVINGTON, Ga. - Brian Kemp’s run for governor continues to get the financial backing of most local donors.

It’s not even close.

Kemp, the two-term secretary of state from Athens, brought in contributions from more than 40 local backers during the campaign finance reporting period of April 1 through June 30.

That’s significantly more than his Republican runoff opponent, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle of Gainesville.

Cagle drew donations from just six local people over the past three-month period, which included the May 22 primary.

Cagle led the five-man field with 39 percent statewide. Kemp notched his spot in the runoff with about 26 percent.

Former House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams won the Democratic primary outright with 76 percent of the vote against former state Rep. Stacey Evans.

Kemp carried Newton County with a little over 40 percent to Cagle’s 33 percent.

Abrams took 81 percent of the vote in Newton County.

Kemp raked in $24,670 from local donors during the three-month reporting period compared to $12,800 for Cagle.

Abrams was the leading fundraiser for Democrats. She took in $1,650 from eight people. Evans had four contributors who gave a total of $875.

A majority of local officials who are backing a candidate with their dollars also are pointing to Kemp. Recent donors to the secretary of state’s bid for governor include Social Circle Mayor Hal Dally, former state senator and county commissioner John Douglas, County Commissioner Stan Edwards and Clerk of Superior Courts Linda D. Hays.

Newton County Commissioner Nancy Schulz has backed Abrams.

Early voting is underway through July 20, and the runoff is July 24.

DEMOCRATS

Stacey Abrams

Abrams brought in $2.75 million between April 1 and June 30 and ended the quarter with $1.5 million cash on hand.

Local contributors included:

Harold Davis, Covington, $100 and $100; John Heilman, Covington, $50 and $100; Roosevelt Logan Jr., Oxford, $100 and $100; Anthony Nickel, Covington, $100; Susan Riese, Social Circle, six contributions totaling $150; Nancy Schulz, Oxford, $500; Cindy Simpson, Covington, $250; Kim White, Covington, $100.

Stacey Evans

Evans brought in $940,512 between April 1 and June 30.

Local contributors included:

Bart Buff, Covington, $500; Shannon Buff, Covington, three contributions totaling $75; Vivian Fincher, Covington, $200; Tera Tyson, Covington, $100.

REPUBLICANS

Casey Cagle

Cagle brought in $3.7 million between April 1 and June 30 and ended the quarter with $1.3 million cash on hand.

Local contributors included:

Mitchel Darel, Social Circle, $250 and $100; Cole Dargan Sr., Covington, $250; Robert R. Fowler III, Covington, $3,900; Jeff L. Shockley, Covington, $500; Brad M. Williams, Social Circle, $3,900; Paige Vaughn Williams, Social Circle, $3,900.

Hunter Hill

Hill brought in $488,510 between April 1 and June 30.

His only local contributor was Jack W. Coyle, Oxford, $100 and $50.

Brian Kemp

Kemp brought in nearly $1.6 million between April 1 and June 30 and ended the quarter with $711,388 cash on hand.

Local contributors included:

Mark J. Accetturo, Covington, $2,500; Kayla Airington, Oxford, $200; Fleeta S. Baggett, Covington, $1,000; Charles Berry, Covington, $25 and $125; Todd Bowen, Social Circle, $500; Richard W. Brown, Covington, $500 and $1,000; C&G Properties, Covington, $1,000; Shannon Cole, Mansfield, $500; Hal Dally, Social Circle, $500; Keith Dalton, Covington, $500; John F. Douglas, Social Circle, $100; Stanley Edwards Jr., Mansfield, $200; T.M. Ewing, Covington, $100 and $100; Timothy K. Fleming, Covington, $300; William D. Fortson Jr., Covington, $500; Robert R. Fowler III, Covington, $1,000; Harry M. Galloway, $250; Fred W. Greer Jr., Mansfield, $250; Dean Hayes, Covington, $1,000 and $1,000; Julius D. Hays Jr., Covington, $100; Linda D. Hays, Covington, $500; Donald Herron Jr., Social Circle, $500; Robin W. Herron, Social Circle, $250; Robin Hillman, Covington, $100 and $100; Edward Hutter, Covington, three contributions totaling $1,200; Integral Enterprises LLC, Covington, $500; the Jackson Advisory Group LLC, Covington, $250; Jet Auction Co., Covington, $100 and $100; Sonya Love, Covington, $10 and $10; Majesty Maids LLC, Covington, $250; Debbie P. Massey, Covington, $300; Gary Massey, Covington, $1,000; Michael T. Owens, Social Circle, $200; Roshan Patel, Covington, $200; E.W. Pugh, Social Circle, $500; Richard M. Schulz, Oxford, $250; Billy S. Smith, Covington, $1,000; Mike Smith, Covington, $500; Timothy C. Smith, Social Circle, three contributions totaling $1,500; Craig Stevens, Social Circle, $250; Phil Stone, Covington, $500; John L. Travis, Covington, $250 and $500; Mark Whitney, Covington, $100 and $100; Susan D. Wilson, Social Circle, $200; Martin Zon, Covington, $200.

Clay Tippins

Tippins brought in more than $3.1 million between April 1 and June 30.

His only local contributor was David Milikin, of Covington, with three contributions totaling $105.

Michael Williams

Former state Rep. Michael Williams’ June 30 report was not available.

Early voting, municipal & special called election: what to know
Election coverage

As advanced voting for the municipal and countywide special called election is underway, here are some things to know about what is being voted for, when to vote, how to vote and polling locations.

MUNICIPAL ELECTION CANDIDATES

Mayor of Covington:

Fleeta Baggett

Kenneth Morgan

Felton Hudson

Eric Threets

James “Tim” Walden


Covington City Council:

Dania Bernard (E Post 3)

Jared Rutberg (E Post 3)

Travis Moore (E Post 2)

Carla Ferry (E Post 2)

Kim Johnson (W Post 1)


Mayor of Porterdale:

Kay Piper

Michael Patterson


Porterdale City Council:

Eric Russell (Post 1)

Rebekah Sewell (Post 1)

Linda Finger (Post 2) 

Halima Najah Muhammad (Post 2)


SPECIAL CALLED ELECTION

The countywide, special called election pertains to an increase in the homestead exemption for elderly taxpayers from the school tax portion of their tax bill.


WHEN TO VOTE

Early voting: Monday, Oct. 16 - Friday, Nov. 3

General election: Nov. 7


WAYS TO VOTE

  • Vote early in-person (Oct. 16 - Nov. 3)

Polls are open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at two locations:

  1. Turner Lake Recreation Center - Banquet Room: 6185 Turner Lake Rd NW Covington, GA 30014
  2. Prospect Church at Oak Hill: 6752 GA 212 Covington, GA 30016

Early voting on Saturday is only available at the Turner Lake polling location on Saturday, Oct. 21 and 28 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.


  • Absentee ballot

Visit co.newton.ga.us/ways-to-vote or request an absentee ballot from the Board of Elections office at 1113 Usher Street, Ste. 103, Covington, GA 30014


  • Vote in-person on election day (Nov. 7)

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.


Those living in a city can vote for mayoral and city council candidates as well as the countywide, special called election at the same polling location.

Those living in an unincorporated area can only vote for the homestead tax exemption for those 65 and older. 


NEW POLLING LOCATION UPDATES (No changes made to voting districts)

  • Cedar Shoals Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Porterdale Baptist Church to Turner Lake Recreation Center (Banquet Room) 6185 Turner Lake Road NW Covington, Ga 30014
  • City Pond Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Central Community Church to Newton County Library 7116 Floyd Street NE, Covington, Ga 30014
  • Newborn Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Newborn Methodist Church to Mansfield Community Center, 3158 S Main Hwy 11, Mansfield, Ga 30055
  • Almon Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Newton Baptist Church to Shiloh United Methodist Church, located at 10 Almon Church Road, Covington, Ga 30014
  • Beaverdam Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Gateway Community Church to Voice of Pentecost, located at 4648 Salem Road, Covington, Ga 30016
  • Stansells Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Voice of Pentecost to St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 13108 Brown Bridge Road, Covington, Ga 30016

POLLING LOCATIONS CURRENTLY INACTIVE

  • Central Community Church
  • Gateway Community Church
  • Newborn United Methodist Church 
  • Newborn Baptist Church
  • Porterdale Baptist Church
For questions regarding the election and polling locations, visit the Newton County Board of Elections and Registration website, contact the board’s office at (770) 784-2055 and elections@co.newton.ga.us or check out the My Voter Page on the Secretary of State’s website.