By Michael Davis

Staff Writer

Democrat Andy Berke reported $275,529 in total receipts, while Republican Oscar Brock collected $93,080 in the 10th District state Senate special election, according to campaign finance reports.

Mr. Berke reported disbursements of $205,451.24, while Mr. Brock reported disbursements of $20,394.79.

Five Republicans and four Democrats are running for their respective party's nominations for the seat vacated by former state Sen. Ward Crutchfield, D-Chattanooga, who pleaded guilty to bribery in the FBI's Operation Tennessee Waltz sting.

Brett Hale, vice chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party, said the race is important with regard to the balance of power in the state Senate.

The chamber was split with 16 Democrats, 16 Republicans and an independent prior to Mr. Crutchfield's resignation. The GOP holds the speakership and has control over a majority of standing committees.

Mr. Hale praised Mr. Brock's fundraising totals.

"It's impressive for that short amount of time and having that many Republican candidates in the race," he said.

John Bailes, chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, said the election will be expensive because of the close division of the Senate and because it is a short race.

"Resources cost money, and when you have a short time span, it's going to cost more money to pull those resources together," Mr. Bailes said.

Mr. Berke's contributions included $2,000 from CBL & Associates Properties Inc. Chief Financial Officer John Foy, $2,000 from CBL Chief Development Officer and Senior Vice President Michael Lebovitz, $500 from former Chattanooga Mayor Jon Kinsey and $100 from Chattanooga City Court Judge Russell Bean.

Mr. Berke also received $1,000 from U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., for whom he worked in Washington, D.C.

Among Mr. Brock's donors are former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker, R-Tenn., who gave $1,000, and the candidate's father, former U.S. Sen. Bill Brock, R-Tenn., who gave $2,000.

Mr. Brock also received $1,000 from the campaign committee of U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., and $500 from the campaign committee of state Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga. W. Allan Jones of Jones Management Services LLC gave Mr. Brock $1,000, developer John "Thunder" Thornton contributed $1,000 and state Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, gave $2,000.

The preprimary reports reflect campaign finances from the start of activity through Monday, said Drew Rawlins with the state Registry of Election Finance.

Today is the last chance for 10th District voters to cast their ballots early in the primary. The primary election is Oct. 4, and the general election is Nov. 15.

The district includes part of Hamilton County and all of Marion County.

Mr. Berke gave himself $2000, according to his disclosure form.

Democrat John Wolfe reported $29,843 in receipts. He gave himself $19,443 and loaned himself $10,200.

Democrat Ken Jordan reported $16,501 in receipts. Mr. Jordan gave himself $1,000.

Democrat Lee C. Whitaker reported $10,200 in receipts, including $5,000 he gave himself and $5,000 from the Nashville-based Independent Medicines Political Action Committee.

Republicans Oscar Brown, Mark Albertini and Basil Marceaux all reported raising no money, according to their campaign finance statements. Republican Travis Layne's campaign finance disclosure could not be accessed online late Friday afternoon, but he said in a phone interview he did not collect or spend any funds for his campaign.

E-mail Michael Davis at michaeld@timesfreepress.com

10TH SENATE DISTRICT CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Here are the campaign finance disclosure figures for the Senate District 10 candidates. These numbers reflect totals from the first fundraising activity through Monday.

Democrats:

Andy Berke

* Receipts: $275,529

* Disbursements: $205,451.24

John Wolfe

* Receipts: $29,843

* Disbursements: $24,218

Lee C. Whitaker

* Receipts: $10,200

* Disbursements: $7,395.99

Ken Jordan

* Receipts: $16,501

* Disbursements: $9,700.12

Republicans:

Oscar Brock

* Receipts: $93,080

* Disbursements: $20,394.79

Oscar Brown, Mark Albertini, Basil Marceaux and Travis Layne all raised and spent no money

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Berke receives most money in Senate race