MONTGOMERY (AP) — The 2010 campaign for governor of Alabama is becoming a race run on credit.

Fiscal conservatism may be the buzz word for Alabama politicians during these lean economic times. But campaign finance reports, including a new round filed Thursday, show that some candidates are no longer relying on supporters’ contributions for pay-as-you-go campaigning.

The biggest example is Republican Tim James.

He reported spending nearly $4.4 million on his campaign since last year, with $3.2 million of that coming in loans.

James, a Greenville developer, provided $2 million. John McInnis of Orange Beach, his partner in the Foley Beach Express toll bridge, added $500,000 in loans, as did his campaign finance chairman, Montgomery timber executive Guice Slawson. Greenville lawyer Warren Williamson added a $200,000 loan.

James’ campaign manager, Brett Hall, said James has not received lots of money from political action committees like the leading fundraiser, Bradley Byrne.

“It’s good we have a candidate with the financial wherewithal to run his campaign,” Hall said.

Byrne, Alabama’s former two-year college chancellor, reported a $24,000 personal loan and $29,500 bank loan when he began his campaign last year, but since then, he’s taken in $4.8 million in donations, which is more than enough to cover his $4.7 million in campaign expenditures.

It also makes him the most successful fundraiser in the governor’s race and puts him ahead of the $4.2 million that Republican Gov. Bob Riley had spent at the same point in the 2006 race for governor.

Another Republican, state Rep. Robert Bentley of Tuscaloosa, reported he has spent more than $1.4 million in preparation for Tuesday’s primary election, and nearly $1.2 million of that was in personal loans. The figure included $375,000 that the retired physician reporting lending his campaign this month.

Former Republican Chief Justice Roy Moore has listed $620,323 in expenditures. He has reported lending his campaign $12,000, and his campaign chairman, James Henderson, lent $5,000.

Republican Bill Johnson, a former member of Riley’s Cabinet, has reported spending $195,154 on his campaign. That includes a $40,000 personal loan to his campaign last year.

Brad Moody, a political scientist at Auburn University Montgomery, said the loans are a reflection of most major state offices being up for election this year, and candidates for all three branches of government competing fiercely for limited donations during an economic slowdown.

“The usual contributors have probably been drained pretty dry,” he said.

Also, he said James and Bentley are part of a growing number of wealthy candidates nationwide who are willing to underwrite their own campaigns.

On the Democratic side of the primary, Artur Davis has been operating without loans. He has raised more than $2.7 million and spent nearly $2.6 million, including buying TV ads criticizing his opponent’s campaign loan.

Democrat Ron Sparks, who is listing expenditures totaling nearly $1.9 million, got a $500,000 bank loan for his campaign in January and repaid it in late March.

Davis has questioned how a candidate with little income beyond his state salary got the loan from a bank with a board member who’s been business partners with dog track and casino operator Milton McGregor.

At a news conference Tuesday, Sparks said he has done business with River Bank and Trust for several years and got the loan based on his good credit.

“I did not talk to one board member about the loan. As a matter of fact, I can’t tell you who is on the board,” he said.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Summary
Date: 5/27/2010 7:05 PM
Slug: BC-AL–Governor-Finances,2nd Ld-Writethru
Headline: Some candidates for Ala. gov. running on credit
Source: AP
Byline: PHILLIP RAWLS,Associated Press Writer
Copyright Holder: AP
Priority: r (4)
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Dateline: MONTGOMERY, Ala.
Lead
Editors’ Note: Eds: UPDATES with details of campaign finance forms and comments from candidate.
Word Count: 630
File Name (Transref): J1012
Editorial Type: Lead
AP Category: n
Format: bx

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The 2010 campaign for governor of Alabama is becoming a race run on credit. Fiscal conservatism may be the buzz word for Alabama politicians during these lean economic times. But campaign finance reports, including a new round filed Thursday, show that some candidates are no longer relying on supporters’ contributions for pay-as-you-go campaigning. The biggest example is Republican Tim James. He reported spending nearly $4.4 million on his campaign since last year, with $3.2 million of that coming in loans. James, a Greenville developer, provided $2 million. John McInnis of Orange Beach, his partner in the Foley Beach Express toll bridge, added $500,000 in loans, as did his campaign finance chairman, Montgomery timber executive Guice Slawson. Greenville lawyer Warren Williamson added a $200,000 loan. James’ campaign manager, Brett Hall, said James has not received lots of money from political action committees like the leading fundraiser, Bradley Byrne. “It’s good we have a candidate with the financial wherewithal to run his campaign,” Hall said. Byrne, Alabama’s former two-year college chancellor, reported a $24,000 personal loan and $29,500 bank loan when he began his campaign last year, but since then, he’s taken in $4.8 million in donations, which is more than enough to cover his $4.7 million in campaign expenditures. It also makes him the most successful fundraiser in the governor’s race and puts him ahead of the $4.2 million that Republican Gov. Bob Riley had spent at the same point in the 2006 race for governor. Another Republican, state Rep. Robert Bentley of Tuscaloosa, reported he has spent more than $1.4 million in preparation for Tuesday’s primary election, and nearly $1.2 million of that was in personal loans. The figure included $375,000 that the retired physician reporting lending his campaign this month. Former Republican Chief Justice Roy Moore has listed $620,323 in expenditures. He has reported lending his campaign $12,000, and his campaign chairman, James Henderson, lent $5,000. Republican Bill Johnson, a former member of Riley’s Cabinet, has reported spending $195,154 on his campaign. That includes a $40,000 personal loan to his campaign last year. Brad Moody, a political scientist at Auburn University Montgomery, said the loans are a reflection of most major state offices being up for election this year, and candidates for all three branches of government competing fiercely for limited donations during an economic slowdown. “The usual contributors have probably been drained pretty dry,” he said. Also, he said James and Bentley are part of a growing number of wealthy candidates nationwide who are willing to underwrite their own campaigns. On the Democratic side of the primary, Artur Davis has been operating without loans. He has raised more than $2.7 million and spent nearly $2.6 million, including buying TV ads criticizing his opponent’s campaign loan. Democrat Ron Sparks, who is listing expenditures totaling nearly $1.9 million, got a $500,000 bank loan for his campaign in January and repaid it in late March. Davis has questioned how a candidate with little income beyond his state salary got the loan from a bank with a board member who’s been business partners with dog track and casino operator Milton McGregor. At a news conference Tuesday, Sparks said he has done business with River Bank and Trust for several years and got the loan based on his good credit. “I did not talk to one board member about the loan. As a matter of fact, I can’t tell you who is on the board,” he said.