Johnson outspending rivals by 2 to 1 over Powell

Published 11:25 pm Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Incumbent mayor Linda Johnson received and spent the most money during September of the candidates who filed their campaign finance reports by Wednesday’s deadline.

Roger Leonard did not file the required reports, said Sharon Thornhill, the Suffolk Voter Registrar. Write-in candidate Deborah Wahlstrom filed electronically, and her results were not available online at deadline.

Johnson’s contributions, which totaled $16,836, included money from Suffolk Commissioner of the Revenue Thomas Hazelwood; School Board members Lorraine Skeeter and Enoch Copeland; and Parr Funeral Home, a business owned by Councilman Charles Parr.

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Johnson also took money from Harbour View developers, as well as other builders and real estate brokers. She took in-kind services and products from the owners of North Suffolk restaurant River Stone Chophouse, as well as from Enoch Copeland.

Thomas Powell, owner of a graphic design and marketing firm, raised the second largest amount – $10,450 – this period. His contributors included local dentists Robert Anderson and Benjamin Foster, along with Robert Moore Jr., his campaign’s accountant. He took in-kind services from Moore for $900 worth of accounting services, and from The Addison Group, his marketing firm.

Andrew Damiani’s only contribution this period was $1,000 from Suffolk Temporaries. Damiani is a former mayor and downtown businessman.

Michael Debranski, a current School Board member, received more than $6,000 this period from seven individuals. He did not list their employers or occupations as required.

Dwight Nixon, a local pastor, received $1,000 from Levi Willis, a Norfolk resident.

For a full list of the candidate’s contributors, see below. For the campaign finance reports for candidates for City Council and School Board, check Friday’s Suffolk News-Herald.