Knox County Commissioner Richard Briggs raised $122,180 in the last six months in this campaign for the Republican nomination to defeat the state Sen. Stacey Campfield, reports Georgiana Vines.
With $43,678 going into the reporting period and spending $9,315, Briggs has $156,543 remaining for the Aug. 7 state primary.
Briggs, a cardiothoracic surgeon, received considerable donations from fellow physicians as well as lawyers and other business people. He also received $10,000 from Independent Medicine’s PAC-TN and $2,500 from HMA Tennessee PAC.
Campfield, who prides himself in running low-budget and door-to-door campaigns, reported raising $16,970 during the same period and spending $4,202. His expenditures included $995 in thefts by a former campaign staffer, which he earlier disclosed. He has $23,202 left in his account and cannot raise money while the Legislature is in session.
The two are vying for the 7th Senate District seat, as is Democrat Cheri Siler, a teacher who just started campaigning a few weeks ago. She reported raising $1,717, spending $516 (including repaying a $113 loan) and having $1,201 on hand.
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Note: A Briggs press release is below.
News release from Richard Briggs campaign:
Knoxville, TN — Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican candidate for the state senate in District 7, today announced a robust fundraising total with $173,337 in contributions from over 400 individual donors. That number includes over $120,000 raised in just the last report period.
“We have seen support skyrocket for Richard’s campaign,” said campaign manager, Bonnie Brezina. “The people of Tennessee are ready for conservative leadership that focuses on improving education, keeping taxes low and supporting our small businesses. That is exactly what Richard will do in the state senate.”
Briggs ended the quarter with $156,542 cash on hand.
“Stephanie and I are honored to have hundreds of donors from all walks of life support our campaign,” said Briggs. “We have the momentum right now and I will continue to work hard for every vote. I’m ready to restore the integrity to the 7th State Senate District and fight for Tennesseans in Nasvhille.”
The primary election is August 7th. Early voting begins July 18th, 2014.
Dr. Richard Briggs, was appointed to the Knox County Commission in February 2008 and serves District 5. The voters re-elected him for a six-year term in 2010.
Briggs holds a B.S. degree in Mathematics from Transylvania University, Lexington, KY. Upon graduation in 1978 from the University of Kentucky College Of Medicine, Dr. Briggs immediately entered active military service with the U.S. Army with rank of Colonel serving in combat with the 1st Armored Division in Operation Desert Storm. Colonel Briggs was awarded the Bronze Star. With over 30 years of active and reserve military service, Colonel Briggs has served in
Korea, Central and South America, and in Egypt during the crisis in Somalia.
Following the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 Col. Briggs volunteered to return to active duty for service in Afghanistan. From 2005-2006 he was deployed to the Green Zone in Baghdad as the Senior Trauma Surgeon at the main U.S. Army Combat Support Hospital in Iraq. Col. Briggs has commanded U.S. Army Reserve units in Nashville, Chattanooga and Johnson City.
Dr. Briggs practices cardiothoracic surgery at Tennova Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. He has held academic appointments at the University of Texas-San Antonio, the University of Louisville and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Tennessee Medical Association.
Dr. Briggs and his wife of 40 years, Stephanie, make their home in Knoxville.
For more information, visit votebriggs.com.