Tuesday, Jul. 07, 2009

Josh McKoon raises more than $40,000 for Georgia Senate campaign

Josh McKoon's push to make a statement in his bid for the Georgia state Senate appears to have worked.

The local attorney has raised campaign contributions of $43,667, according to his first disclosure report on file with the state Ethics Commission.

McKoon is running in the District 29 Republican primary to replace four-term Republican Sen. Seth Harp, who is running statewide for Insurance Commissioner. McKoon announced his intentions last month.

"I never would have imagined we would raise more than $40,000 in a couple of weeks. I am more grateful for the broad base of support that this demonstrates," McKoon said in a prepared statement. "I feel blessed that so many friends have confidence in our effort to bring conservative initiatives back to the State Capitol."

The campaign raised $10,000 online in six days. He has spent about $750, leaving him nearly $43,000 cash on hand.

The bulk of the money came from 19 individuals or committees that contributed $1,000 or more each. Less than $2,000 came from contributions under the $101 limit for naming the contributor.

Those that gave the maximum $2,400 contributions were: Committee to Elect Seth Harp, Washington D.C. attorney Scott Martin, Columbus attorney Charles Day, Phenix City attorney James McKoon, Columbus businessman Sean Knox and Jedd Limited Family Partnership of Phenix City.

Columbus businessman D. Abbott Turner, David Shafer Senate Committee and Columbus Realtor Christopher Woodruff gave $2,000 each.

Columbus insurance executive Sam Rawls, Columbus attorney Neal Callahan, Atlanta car dealer Mike Hennessy, Columbus Realtor Reynolds Bickerstaff, Columbus physician P.H. Patel, retired Aflac executive George Jeter, Smiths, Ala., businessman F.L. Copeland, Columbus businessman Ralph A. Russell, Houston, Texas attorney Hirem Patel and Marietta attorney James Balli gave $1,000 each.

McKoon, a former chairman of the Muscogee County Republican Party, has no announced opposition in a district that includes parts of Muscogee, Harris, Troup and Meriwether counties.

Tuesday, Columbus attorney Ron Mullins said he was considering a run for the seat as a Republican.

“I am talking to a lot of folks about doing it,” said Mullins, 58. “And I have been doing that for the last week or so. I am interested.” Mullins, who was raised in Pine Mountain and has practiced law in Columbus for 29 years, gave no timetable for making a decision. He lives in Midland, just inside the Harris County line. While Mullins has never sought elected office, his sister, Martha Hartley, is the Harris County probate judge.