The challenger has outspent the incumbent over 3-to-1 in the public defender’s race which will conclude with the Democratic Primary.
Early voting is already under way.
According to public campaign finance reports for the first quarter, local attorney John Partin of Galligan & Newman Attorneys at Law spent $11,150 on his campaign which he launched nearly a year ago for the 31st Judicial District Public Defender office. His biggest single expenditure is signs at $2,299. The amount includes only what is claimed on the first quarter statement, meaning there could be significant spending revelations in future campaign finance reports.
His opponent, incumbent Public Defender Dan Bryant reported spending $2,801, most of which, $1,617 was for signs. Bryant is seeking a third term in the office.
In the race for who will face them in the courtroom, District Attorney General Lisa Zavogiannis was the only one to file a campaign finance report for the first quarter. She reported spending $15,017 with $4,664 of that for signs.
Her independent opponent, Tim Pirtle, was a late-comer to the race after the announcement on the eve of the qualifying deadline that Robert Newman would not be able to seek the office due to a conflict of interest. That conflict pertained to his brother-in-law being the General Sessions Judge, although that office is also up for election. The state advised Newman against a run, saying he would have to recuse himself and his staff if Bill Locke keeps the seat.
Pirtle and Zavogiannis won’t square off until the August election since neither faces any opposition during the May primaries.
The General Sessions Judge race will also not be contested until August. In that race, Locke reported spending $3,000, while challenger Jean Brock reported spending $150. The two candidates met two years ago in a special election with Brock taking second to Locke in a four-candidate race.