Money in Local Politics: College Station City Council Campaign Finance Reports

The candidates for the College Station municipal elections submitted campaign finance reports to the city on April 8th, one month before the election. Nancy Berry, a candidate for College Station mayor, raised over $6,200 which was more than any other candidate. Also, Berry reported over $3,700 on campaign expenditures which was also more than any other candidate. Most of the contributions to College Station candidate came from College Station residents, however, there where donations from Bryan and throughout the state of Texas. There was also one candidate that had large donations from outside the state. In all a total $13,885 was reported in campaign contributions by the candidates, and $10,509 was reported on campaign expenditures.

Mayor Ben White raised a total of $4,190 for his reelection campaign, $3,675 reported during the most recent campaign finance reporting period, and spent $1,957 in campaign expenditures. According to campaign finance reports, $2,275 of White’s campaign contributions where received from donors in College Station. Campaign contributions amounting to $1,300 where received from donors outside of College Station, $900 of which was received from residents of Bryan. The largest donor to the White campaign was Dr. Mackie Bobo of Bedias who contributed $300 the campaign. The majority of the campaign expenditures where spent on political signs, and White has $2,468 cash on hand.

Mayoral candidate Berry reported a total of $6,224 raised for her campaign, of which $1,624 came from political contributions of $50 or less. According to campaign finance reports, College Station residents donated $600 to the Berry campaign. State Senator Steve Ogden’s wife, Emil Ogden donated $200. A significant amount of donations to the Berry campaign came not just from outside of College Station, but outside of Texas. There was a total of $4,000 donated to the Berry campaign from outside of College Station, and $2,000 of which was received from supporters outside of Texas. The largest donor to the campaign was Barbara and Donald Zale from Dallas, who contributed $2,000 the campaign. Berry outspent her opponent, and reported $3,737 campaign expenditures. Most of the campaign donations were spent on political signs, $2,219, and on campaign stickers and cards, $883. Berry maintains $2,487 cash on hand.

A total of $3,804 was reported by Jess Fields for his campaign for City Council Place 2, of which $908 was received in contributions of $50 or less. During the most recent campaign finance reporting period $2,896 in donations were reported, and $2,966 in campaign expenditures were also reported. According to campaign finance reports, residents of College Station donated $2,035 to the Fields campaign. Most of the campaign contributions came from College Station, but $861 in contributions was received from donors outside of College Station. The largest donation reported was from Clyde Goen who contributed $500 to the Fields campaign. The campaign expenditures included $1,428 related to political signs, and $1,135 in other campaign materials including business cards, push cards, pens, and notepads. The Fields campaign maintains $1,879 cash on hand.

City Council Place 2 candidate Tony Jones reported a total of $1,900 in campaign contributions, of which $300 were receive in contributions of $50 or less. The Jones campaign received $600 in contributions from donors in College Station, the largest donation was $500 from Cheryl and Randy French. Jones also self financed his campaign with a personal loan of $1,000. The Jones campaign reported $1,849 in political expenditures, of which $965 was spent on political signs. The Jones campaign maintains $900 cash on hand.

Tomorrow: Money in Local Politics: Bryan City Council Campaign Finance Reports