NASHVILLE – Democrat Glenn Scruggs raised $37,363 for his state Senate District 10 bid during the second quarter with the Chattanooga assistant police chief reporting a cash balance of $34,464.
While Scruggs out-raised Republican incumbent Sen. Todd Gardenhire of Chattanooga, who reported $7,775 in contributions during the April 1-June 30 period, Gardenhire has a war chest totaling $102,443.
Scruggs said the contributions show “our community is invested in this race.” Alluding to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the loss of jobs as well as local and national civil unrest, the assistant chief, who is Black, said he has spent much of his time “working directly with community members to ensure that protests remain peaceful. That direct interaction has allowed me the opportunity to hear from Chattanoogans.”
Scruggs said his effort in the district, which includes portions of Hamilton and Bradley counties, is “people-powered” and added he wants to “speak for working people in this district. That’s who we are and that’s who I represent. Let corporations give their money to Todd, he’s their representative anyway.”
Gardenhire noted he faced restrictions on fundraising during parts of the period because lawmakers were in session and there were also prohibitions on raising money from political action committees during a lengthy legislative recess due to the COVID-19 pandemic.