Candidates in the upcoming County Primary and General Elections have filed their first round of campaign financial disclosure statements, which show candidates seeking the office of Carter County Register of Deeds have spent more than $38,000 combined so far in their election bids.

State law requires most candidates seeking public office to appoint a political treasurer and file quarterly campaign financial disclosure statements on set dates throughout the campaign process. Only candidates seeking election to a part-time office with compensation of less than $1,000 per month and who do not intend to spend more than $1,000 on their campaign are exempt from filing campaign financial disclosure statements under state law.

April 10 marked the deadline for candidates to file their first disclosure statements, which cover donations collected and monies spent from the beginning of the candidate’s campaign through March 31.

The Elizabethton Star obtained copies of the disclosure statements filed by the three candidates for Carter County Register of Deeds — Jarrod Ellis, Jessica Barnett Markland, and Adam Townsend. All three candidates are facing off in the May 1 Primary Election to become the Republican nominee for the August General Election.

In total, the three candidates have a combined spending of $38,472.90 during the statement filing period.

The top spender in the campaign so far is Markland, who reported expenditures of $18,017.15.

In her report, Markland notes receiving a total of $30,000 in funding through a loan for her campaign. She listed no outside contributions or personal financing in the report.

Under expenditures, Markland lists purchases of campaign materials such as signs, shirts, hats, and calendars, as well as advertising expenses.

Markland reported having an on-hand balance of $11,982.85 as of March 31, 2018.

Coming in at second place in campaign spending is Ellis, who reported expenditures of $10,900 for the filing period.

In his report, Ellis notes receiving a total of $12,200 in contributions for his campaign, $1,300 of which is listed as “in kind” contributions of donated items.

In monetary donations, Ellis reports receiving $6,500 in “unitemized contributions,” which is defined in state law as $100 or less from each donor. He reported $4,400 in itemized contributions, which state law defines as donations of more than $100 from an individual donor. Ellis’ report does not indicate any amount of self-contributed funds for his election bid.

Under expenditures, Ellis reports purchases of campaign materials such as signs and shirts, as well as advertising expenses.

Townsend came in third place in campaign spending, with reported expenditures of $9,555.75.

In his report, Townsend reports receiving $1,000 in campaign contributions, which he reported as a single donation from one supporter. Townsend’s report does not indicate any amount of self-contributed funds for his election bid.

Under expenditures, Townsend reports purchases of campaign materials such as shirts and signs, the rental of a park for a campaign event, and a $5,000 expenditure for “campaign consulting/management.”

The second quarterly campaign financial disclosure statement filing period ends on June 30, and local candidates must file their report with the Carter County Election Commission no later than July 10.