Nick WilkinsonNASHVILLE – Democrat Khristy Wilkinson raised nearly $16,000 for her challenge to incumbent state Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, according to her campaign’s latest financial disclosure.
Of that, almost 10 percent or $1,500, came from Nick Wilkinson, the city of Chattanooga’s deputy administrator of economic development. He lost to Khristy Wilkinson in Democrats’ Aug. 4 primary in a three-person race. The two Wilkinsons are not related.
Wilkinson’s pre-general election disclosure, covering contributions and expenditures from Oct. 1 to Oct. 29 is the final form required before next Tuesday’s election.
Gardenhire had yet to file his latest financial report. It’s due by midnight tonight. He has led in fundraising and spending throughout the contest.
The bulk of Wilkinson’s $20,778.25 in reported expenses last month went toward a $14,498.88 payment for direct mail. Another $1,300 went for a Senate District 10 poll.
The district includes Chattanooga, other southern and eastern parts of Hamilton County and much of nearby rural Bradley County.
Wilkinson’s bank balance stood at $8,229.87 at the end of the period.
Besides the $1,500 from Nick Wilkinson, Khristy Wilkinson also received a $250 contribution from Chattanooga City Councilman Chris Anderson, who had been a Nick Wilkinson booster.
Democratic activist Annie Hall of Signal Mountain, listed as a political consultant, gave $500. Other contributions included $2,000 from the International Association Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Union of Lanham, Md., and $1,000 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker’s Washington, D.C., office.
Early voting in the election continues through Thursday.