Published Friday, July 11, 2008

Solicitor candidates disclose campaign collections

By Sarah Fay Campbell

The Times-Herald

[Editor's note: On Friday we profiled the Coweta solicitor's race. Today we provide a breakdown of campaign contributions from the two candidates' disclosure reports.]

Through June 30, Solicitor General Robert Stokely has collected $12,112.17 in campaign contributions and challenger Randy Coggin has collected $14,137.16.

The two men are vying for the post to handle prosecution duties for Coweta State Court.

These totals do not include loans candidates made to themselves.

On June 30, the end of the reporting period, Stokely reported expenditures of $12,547.57 and cash on hand of $4,165.14.

Coggin reported expenditures of $12,018.39. No number was entered in the space for net balance on hand.

Candidates must report every contribution over $101, and who made it. Contributions under $101 must be reported as a total, but the contributor is not listed.

The following are Coggin's reported contributions:

Two thousand three hundred from Newnan law firm Stemberger Cummins and Arnall; $500 from Carrollton attorney Allen Trapp; $250 from Toccoa attorney Nina Svoren; $250 from Lawrenceville attorney Richard Ryczek; $150 from Peachtree City attorney Michelle Lundy; $250 from Statesboro attorney W. Keith Barber; $150 from Atlanta law firm Head, Thomas, Webb and Willis; $1,000 from Newnan attorney Scott Cummins; $150 from Tifton attorney G.G. Joseph Kunes Jr.; $1,000 from Atlanta attorney B. Thomas Cook Jr.; $300 from Atlanta attorney Larry Kohn; an additional $500 from Carrollton attorney Allen Trapp; $500 from Coweta media specialist Anne Quinn Powell; $250 from Atlanta attorney Charles T. McGarrahan; $200 from Diamond and Jewelry Source, Newnan; $250 from Cordele law firm Wright and Pack; $682.17 from the Coweta County Republican Party; $200 from Newnan mortgage banker Joe Powell; $400 from Robert S. Mobley, a retiree from Brunswick; $200 from Newnan attorney George Rosenzweig; and $200 from Fairburn attorney Clay Collins.

Coggin also reported $4,454.99 in contributions of under $101.

Stokely reports the following itemized contributions:

$500 from Earl Adams, a retired Sharpsburg cabinet maker; $250 from Newnan attorney Mike Kam; $250 from Moreland contractor Charles Carmical; $1,000 from the Diamond and Jewelry Source, Newnan; $500 from Mike Fitzpatrick, Newnan car dealer; $150 from Newnan Home Improvements; $125 from Newnan Councilman Rhodes Shell; $125 from retired educator Mary Shell; $250 from Newnan attorney Arthur "Skin" Edge and his wife; $250 from Newnan attorney Parnell Odom and his wife; $500 from Guy and Lynn Milette of Newnan, who work in automobile repair and maintenance; $200 from Bob and Chris Fauls of Newnan, who work in transportation and freight forwarding; $150 from Atlanta attorney Larry Burnat; $500 from Atlanta attorney Jeanne Smith; $1,000 from Newnan homemaker Krista Frost; $150 from retiree Ralph Presley of Newnan; $682.17 from the Coweta County Republican Party; $300 from Joe and Elizabeth Crain of Crain Oil, Newnan; $250 from contractor Mark and Tracie Camp; $200 from Newnan attorney Charles C. Witcher; and $200 from Donna Douglas of Newnan.

Stokely also reported $4,580 in contributions of under $101.

Stokely has said that Coggin is getting donations from high powered DUI lawyers because Stokely won't make deals on DUIs.

Coggin said he does not know the vast majority of the out-of-town attorneys, but "I think they have donated based upon the recommendation of other lawyers who know me and have dealt with me.

"If he's trying to say they're trying to buy me off ... nothing could be further from the truth," Coggin said. "What I've heard all along is they are tired of being treated terribly in that court."

Stokely said that many of the contributions to his campaign simply showed up in his mailbox. "I'm proud that many people think that much of me, and most of them sought me out and offered without me asking," he said. "I don't know what better endorsement I can have than a person that not only will give me their vote but will give me their money when I didn't ask."