FUNDING SOURCESSource of contributions to Jeff Mullis campaign through March 31:Metro Atlanta: $27,850.10Inside District 53: $0Other Georgia: $600Other states: $4,250Non-itemized: $900Total: $33,600.10Source: Georgia Ethics Commission
The incumbent in a Northwest Georgia state Senate race is taking heat from challengers over where he's getting his campaign money.
During the first quarter reporting period, which ended March 31, Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, raised $33,600 in his re-election campaign for the 53rd Senate District. Of that total, $27,850 came from groups, companies and individuals in the Atlanta area and $4,250 came from other states. None came from the district.
His opponents in the July 20 Republican primary, Jim Pope and Jeremy Jones, have called the fundraising's geography into question.
"The question arises here: Is he loyal to the contributor or is he loyal to the constituent?" Mr. Pope said.
He said he has no problem with some campaign money coming from outside the district but said he is worried about "gigantic amounts" in Sen. Mullis' case.
Mr. Pope said he has been offered money from inside and outside the district but has turned it down.
Mr. Jones said he doesn't take issue with the source of the incumbent's funding, but he does want voters to at least take notice. He said a hefty fundraising total does not necessarily represent popularity.
"I tell people it doesn't come from inside the district, so you can't use that as a gauge," Mr. Jones said.
Sen. Mullis said the finance report was based almost entirely on one fundraiser, which he held in Atlanta in early January because he was unable to host any other events during the reporting period. Sitting legislators are not allowed to raise money while the Legislature is in session. The Legislature ended April 29.
He also said many of the contributions may have come from branches or divisions of companies that have a presence in the 53rd District but whose headquarters are in Atlanta.
"It's a little misleading," the senator said.
Sen. Mullis said his next report will show more than $20,000 from inside the district.
The current quarterly reporting period ends Wednesday, and reports are due a few days later. The filings will be made public shortly thereafter.
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