Campaign finances potential impact on local commissioner races
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Campaign records showing how much candidates spend show a large increase in the cost to run for county office.
Campaign finance reports have been released up until eight days prior to Election Day and a full report won’t be complete until after a filing date this summer.
However, current numbers show just how much money candidates spent up until their last week.
In the Brazos County’s Commissioner Precinct 1 race, there was a big difference between how much candidates spent and what the result from voters was.
Incumbent Steve Aldrich spent over $14,000 total reaching voters, with almost $7,000 of that coming in February 2024.
Records show political newcomer, Bentley Nettles, spent nearly $32,000 in February 2024, mostly on advertising costs. For the campaign, Nettles spent more than $107,000 to get out in front of voters.
These two will enter a run-off race after Aldrich pulled 45% of the vote and Nettles had 33%.
Former College Station Mayor, Karl Mooney, lost this race Tuesday night and spent the least on the campaign. Since launching last October, Mooney spent $9,000, more than half of which came out of his pocket.
While money may have helped those in Precinct 1, those running in Precinct 3 for County Commissioner saw the opposite result.
This race was between incumbent Nancy Berry and former State Rep. Fred Brown. Brown won this race with 56%, but to get this result he spent significantly less than Berry.
Brown spent about $8,000 in February reaching voters and just over $14,000 total on the re-entry to politics.
Berry finished her campaign spending over $11,000 in January and nearly $8,000 in February. Total, Berry spent about $27,000 on this campaign, which is $12,000 more than Brown reported.
A full list of campaign finances can be found here.
