MOSS LEADS FIVE OTHERS IN SPENDING

JACKSON -- Allen Moss leads six judge candidates in campaign spending, seven-day disclosure reports show.

Moss, a Republican candidate for Division IV associate circuit judge, has spent $57,138, and had $659 in his accounts, say the reports. The expenditure figure includes money Moss spent in a primary campaign in which he narrowly defeated Jeff Dix for the GOP nomination.

None of the other judge candidates had primary opposition.

Moss' Democratic opponent, Pete Statler, has spent $13,784 on his campaign.

In the Division II circuit judge's race, which includes Perry and Bollinger counties in addition to Cape County, Democratic incumbent John Grimm held a spending edge on Republican Ben Lewis in the seven-day reports. Grimm has spent $40,477, while Lewis had spent $20,025. While Grimm had just $410 cash on hand, Lewis has $9,137 in his campaign account.

In the race for Division III associate circuit judge, Republican Gary Kamp had raised $14,752 and had $2,154 in his account. Democrat Gary Robbins had spent $11,204 and had $2,947 in his account.

Records show that most of the judicial candidates have contributed heavily to their own campaigns, either through contributions or personal loans. Generally, personal campaign loans are forgiven by candidates if there are not enough funds on hand to pay them off after the election.

Moss has loaned his effort $19,500 and contributed $27,110. Statler has loaned his effort $8,800.

Lewis loaned $10,000 to his campaign on Oct. 27, while Grimm has made $2,000 in loans.

Kamp has loaned his campaign $6,500, while Robbins has loaned $4,877 to his effort.

The last campaign reports were filed 40 days before the Nov. 8 general election. Between the 40-day and seven-day reports, candidates reported heavy spending as advertising is purchased, direct mail sent, and additional signs and campaign materials purchased.

Closing dates for the seven-day report vary from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31. Receipts and expenditures after the closing date show up on disclosure reports due 30 days after the general election.