How much does a Mississippi legislative seat nomination cost?

By Hunter Fooshee

In recent months, Union County has voted in primary and runoff elections to choose the next representatives and senator who will fill unoccupied seats in the Capitol. Through the accessible and public campaign finance records, NAnewsweb.com has compiled some numbers for those interested in the modern amount spent to attain a house or senate seat nomination.

In House District 14, the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Margaret Ellis Rogers, there were two candidates: Sam Creekmore and Robbins Ellis Rogers. In that race, Rogers spent (disbursed) $10,788.45 and received contributions totaling $11,300.00. While only receiving around 28.1% of the vote (1,234 votes), he spent around $8.74 per vote. Creekmore, finishing on top with 71.9% (3,152 votes) spent $5,104.20 while he was contributed $6,200.00. His cost per vote was $1.62.

In the Senate District 3 race for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Nickey Browning, there were initially four Republicans competing: Kathy Chism, Jeffrey Mitchell, Jeff Olson, and Kevin Walls. Mitchell reported no disbursements and only $600.00 of self-funded contributions. Olson spent $17,778.54 while he was contributed $19,800.00. His cost per vote was $7.50. Chism and Walls later continued on to a runoff with Chism spending $16,748.80 and being contributed $16,061.00 over the entire cycle. Her average cost per vote was $4.42. Walls spent the most at $25,997.54 and self-contributing $26,000.00 to his own campaign over the entire cycle. His average cost per vote was $7.07.

Creekmore’s and Chism’s contribution sources and spending are broken down in the graphs below. These numbers speak many truths, but there are two which are heavily denoted: you don’t have to necessarily spend the most money in order to win, but you have to have some money for marketability.

Because Chism will face Democrat Tim Tucker in November, she may have substantial additional spending for the general election. Creekmore will be unopposed in the general election.