Jean Brock holds the early lead in spending for the upcoming election for General Sessions judge as she outspent her nearest opponent nearly 4-to-1.
Brock is among a field of four seeking to serve the unexpired term of veteran General Sessions Judge Larry Ross, who retired in January after 13 years on the bench. The winner of the election in August will serve the remaining two years on Ross’ eight-year term.
In the first of several required expenditure reports submitted to the local Election Commission, Brock reported spending $6,287 before the reporting deadline of March 31.
“This is pretty early in the process so I would think there will be a lot more coming in the next reports,” said election administrator Donna Smith, noting candidates will have to submit their next report July 10 for spending and donations they accepted since March 31.
Brock reported taking in $10,000 by March 31, most being her personal donations to her own campaign. Her biggest expenditure was $3,028 for photographic services and printing.
Taking second in spending was Mary Little Pirtle, who spent $1,632. Most of her spending was for newspaper ads as she kicked off her campaign with attention-grabbing ads in the Southern Standard. She took in $1,700 during the first reporting period.
Susan Marttala was third in spending, as she spent $977 while taking in $1,400.
Interim Judge Bill Locke, who was appointed to the position by the Warren County Commission and has since been given the Democratic party nomination, reported spending nothing as of March 31 while taking in $2,000.