Elections 2024: Who’s paying whom?

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Left to right are Emily Niezer Johnston, Melvin Hasting, Dr. Shane Barnette and Morris Williams. (contributed)

Complete list of contributions and expenditures for all candidates for office in Cullman County

CULLMAN, Ala. – Understanding where candidates’ funding comes from and where it goes can help voters understand what candidates believe and what causes they support, what kinds of people they represent and, in some cases, who might be expecting representation from them.

Candidates are required to file finance reports with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office throughout their active campaigns, and those reports are freely available to the public through the Office’s elections website, fcpa.alabamavotes.gov. The Tribune used those reports to create the following list of all donors and donation amounts listed by the four candidates for local offices:

The Tribune reproduced the names and amounts exactly as they appeared in the reports, in all caps and including a few apparent typographical errors. Wording in the list in standard font has been added to aid in clarity.

Note: Candidate financial reports began after the candidates’ creation of campaign committees. As candidates could file over a range of time, those who filed earlier will have more reports. This presentation contains all reports available for each candidate. The candidates were required to submit monthly reports from committee formation through the end of January 2024; in February they had to begin submitting weekly reports.

Candidates for Cullman County Circuit Judge, 32nd Judicial Circuit

Johnston has far outpaced Hasting in both contributions and spending, drawing funding from a wide array of sources, including multiple attorneys and law firms, physicians, banks and bank officers, real estate developers and construction companies, and Cullman area manufacturing and transportation industries, along with the president of Wallace State Community College and four current City or County government officials. 

Hasting has funded much of his campaign himself, receiving a few donations from private individuals. One attorney and one bank (that also contributed to Johnston) also donated.

Johnston has paid over $20,000 to Birmingham-based Master Image, a marketing and printing company that helps clients “establish and expand their brand by assisting clients in understanding their customers and their competition,” and over $10,000 to Birmingham-based The South Magazine Alabama. Hasting has reported, besides his own in-kind contributions, a single expenditure to Cullman-based Visual Anthony, which describes itself as “a full service video production company.”

Emily Niezer Johnston 

PO Box 2612, Cullman, AL 35056

Committee 30321

Contributions 2/10-16/2024

MR. SETH HOOPER, CULLMAN, $2,605.00 

MR. ERIC HUTCHINSON, BIRMINGHAM, $200.00 

DR. VINCENT AND VICKI KAROLEWICS, CULLMAN, $200.00 

BLANCHE KENT, CULLMAN, $100.00   

MALLARD CONSTRUCTION, CULLMAN, $600.00 

CARLTON MUSGROVE, CULLMAN, $500.00   

PARAGON LANDSCAPE LLC DBA US LAWNS OF MADISON, MADISON, AL, $100.00 

RICKEY PEEK, CULLMAN, $500.00 

JAYSON PHILLIPS, CULLMAN, $1,200.00   

PINYAN FARMS LLC, HOLLY POND, $400.00 

MIKE AND CINDY PONDER, CULLMAN, $200.00 

TRACY D PUTMAN, BLOUNTSVILLE, AL, $200.00 

ALAN QUICK, VINEMONT, $200.00 

KEITH AND RENEE QUICK, HANCEVILLE, $200.00 

TANYA RAGSDALE, CULLMAN, $250.00   

RANDY CHILDERS CONSTRUCTION, LLC, CULLMAN, $1,000.00 

BENJAMIN STEELE, ARDMORE, AL, $200.00   

TRADITIONS BANK, CULLMAN, $400.00 

MR. ROB WERNER, CULLMAN, $100.00 

ALAN AND LESLIE WOOD, CULLMAN, $200.00

In-kind contributions:

DR. CLANCY JOHNSON, CULLMAN, $848.67   

HOOPER ENTERPRISES OF CULLMAN, LLC, CULLMAN, $7900.00

Contributions 2/1-9/2024

CHRIS AND KAMI BORDEN, CULLMAN, $191.70 

SHELLY BULLARD, CULLMAN, $200.00 

CHAD AND MELAINE BURKS, CULLMAN, $500.00 

GARY AND BELINDA CORNELIUS, CULLMAN, $200.00 

MRS. NELL DUNLAP, CULLMAN, $250.00 

RANDY AND JOHANNA JOHNSON, CULLMAN, $500.00 

JOE AND STEPHANIE JOWERS, CULLMAN, $75.00 

STEVE AND MARIA STANFORD, CULLMAN, $100.00   

TRADITIONS BANK, CULLMAN, $5,000.00 

LEONARD AND BRIGETTE TYKO, CULLMAN, $200.00 

MIKE AND BRENDA N WATERS, BIRMINGHAM, $100.00 

MR. STEVE MCSWAIN, CULLMAN, $191.70 

MR. MERLE DUNCAN, ATHENS, AL, $191.70

In Kind Contribution:

MR. SETH HOOPER, CULLMAN, $3014.67

Contributions January 2024

ALABAMA IN HOME ASSISTANCE LLC DBA NORTH CENTRAL VISITING ANGELS, CULLMAN, $500.00 

MR. DAVID PATTERSON, HOOVER, AL, $150.00 

DONALD AND GLORIA HEWETT, CULLMAN, $250.00

Contributions December 2023

BADHAM AND BUCK, BIRMINGHAM, AL, $500.00

Contributions November 2023

CONTINENTAL REALTY MANAGEMENT INC, MOUNT OLIVE, AL, $250.00   

ERA WALDROP REAL ESTATE, CULLMAN, $500.00   

VILLAGE DISCOUNT DRUGS, MUSCLE SHOALS, AL, $250.00 

KRISTEN AND KIAH BROWN, CULLMAN, $250.00 

EDDIE CANADAY, CULLMAN, $1,000.00 

DAVID AND MARY LEAH MOSS, CULLMAN, $200.00 

JAMES AND LISA THOMAS, CULLMAN, $1,000.00   

SCHWAIGER CONSTRUCTION, CULLMAN, $250.00   

A AND A PROPERTIES LLC, VINEMONT, $500.00

Contributions October 2023

MCLEROY LAW FIRM, CULLMAN, $2,500.00   

MY WAY TRANSPORTATION, INC., CULLMAN, $2,500.00   

S&L LEASING LLC, CULLMAN, $2,500.00 

BRAD AND STACY JOHNSON, HANCEVILLE, $5,000.00   

JACKSON & WILLIAMS, CULLMAN, $200.00 

MR. ROB WERNER, CULLMAN, $300.00 

DR. MICHAEL BURCH, BIRMINGHAM, AL, $500.00 

KEITH AND LYNDA CARTER, CULLMAN, $300.00 

DENISE COOPER, CULLMAN, $95.70 

SF AND DONOVON LOVELL, VINEMONT, $500.00 

MARK MOORE, CULLMAN, $250.00 

STEVEN AND CHERYL PARKER, CULLMAN, $250.00 

BENJAMIN STEELE, ARDMORE, AL, $200.00 

SHAWN AND MELINDA WILLINGHAM, CULLMAN, $250.00 

JASON WILLOUGHBY, CULLMAN, $250.00   

LEE POWELL INSURANCE AGENCY, INC, CULLMAN, $500.00

In-Kind Contributions:

COUNTRYWIDE FINANCIAL, CULLMAN, $600.00   

FERMENTER’S MARKET ON THE GREEN, ALEXANDER, AL, $949.57

Contributions September 2023

ROY DRINKARD, CULLMAN, $5,000.00 

COURTNEY LYNCH, WINCHESTER, TN, $100.00 

JAMES AND WENDY CLEMENTS, GREENSBORO, GA, $150.00

Contributions August 2023

WATER DEVINE MINISTRY, EVA, AL, $1,000.00   

APEL STEEL CORP, VINEMONT, $500.00   

DOWNEY LAW PC INC., BIRMINGHAM, AL, $1,000.00 

SHANNON PHILLIPS, CULLMAN, $100.00 

MATT KINSLAND, CULLMAN, $250.00 

NATHAN BAUGH, GALLATIN, TN, $500.00

Contributions July 2023

BILL FLOYD, CULLMAN, $1,000.00   

MITCH SMITH CHEVROLET, CULLMAN, $1,000.00 

DR. GREG AND MARY JANE WALDROP, CULLMAN, $500.00 

DR. JACOB AND KATHERINE WALDROP, CULLMAN, $100.00 

DR. ELIZABETH AND JOHN WHEELER, CULLMAN, $500.00 

RANDY AND JOHANNA JOHNSON, CULLMAN, $1,000.00

Contributions June 2023

TRIDENT MARINA LLC, CRANE HILL, $2,500.00   

FERMENTER’S MARKET ON THE GREEN, ALEXANDER, AL, $1,000.00 

JACOB MULLINS, CULLMAN, $1,000.00 

GERALD AND SARAH WOOTTEN, CULLMAN, $2,000.00 

PAUL AND KASEY SCHAFFER, CULLMAN, $300.00

Contributions May 2023

DAVID AND JUDY GRISSOM, VINEMONT, $500.00   

ALABAMA IN HOME ASSISTANCE LLC DBA NORTH CENTRAL VISITING ANGELS, CULLMAN, $1,000.00   

BRIGHTON FORESTRY SERVICES LLC, HOLLY POND, $3,000.00   

HRJ PROPERTIES LLC, CULLMAN, $1,000.00

Contributions April 2023

HOOPER ENTERPRISES OF CULLMAN, LLC, CULLMAN, $2,500.00   

GRIFFITH, LOWRY & MEHERG LLC, CULLMAN, $1,500.00 

MR. TIM CULPEPPER, VINEMONT, $250.00

Contributions March 2023

TRADITIONS BANK, CULLMAN, $5,000.00   

TANKERSLEY RENTALS, CULLMAN, $1,000.00 

FRANK BROWN JR., CULLMAN, $2,000.00

Expenditures 2/10-16/2024

CSG PRINTING, CULLMAN, $107.90   

FACEBOOK, $175.00   

C&C GRAPHICS, CULLMAN, $300.00   

MASTER IMAGE INC, BIRMINGHAM, $6577.66   

FACEBOOK, $10.14   

FACEBOOK, $42.40

Expenditures 2/1-9/2024

PUBLIX, CULLMAN, $37.88   

C&C GRAPHICS, CULLMAN, $1083.38   

MASTER IMAGE INC, BIRMINGHAM, $4585.25   

WKUL, CULLMAN, $1250.00

Expenditures January 2024

MASTER IMAGE INC, BIRMINGHAM, $5541.18   

FACEBOOK, MENLO PARK, CA, $11.72   

FACEBOOK, MENLO PARK, CA, $125.00   

CULLMAN COUNTY SCHOOLS, CULLMAN, $500.00   

FACEBOOK, MENLO PARK, CA, $125.00   

CULLMAN DAILY, CULLMAN, $2080.00   

PUBLIX, CULLMAN, $11.41   

FACEBOOK, MENLO PARK, CA, $125.00

Expenditures December 2023

FACEBOOK, $35.00   

MASTER IMAGE INC, BIRMINGHAM, $1159.40   

WAL-MART, $21.73   

AMAZON, SEATTLE, WA, $64.75   

AMAZON, $150.12   

FACEBOOK, $50.00   

USPO (United States Post Office), CULLMAN, AL, $88.00   

WAL-MART, $42.70   

PUBLIX, CULLMAN, $57.41   

FACEBOOK, $75.00   

THE SOUTH MAGAZINE AL LLC, BIRMINGHAM, $10490.00   

FACEBOOK, $24.40   

FACEBOOK, $10.93

Expenditures November 2023

CRANE STATIONARY, COHOES, NY, $702.00   

TARGET, $127.86   

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, CULLMAN, $250.00   

C&C GRAPHICS, CULLMAN, $4032.57   

AMAZON, $187.96   

TARGET, $278.28   

WAL-MART, $110.59

Expenditures October 2023

MASTER IMAGE INC, BIRMINGHAM, $2000.00   

AL GOP, BIRMINGHAM, $1514.82   

CULLMAN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY, $1514.82   

AMAZON, $14.03   

AMAZON, $408.17   

AMAZON, $4.19   

AMAZON, $15.11   

USPO (United States Post Office), CULLMAN, $9.65

Expenditures September 2023

BOSOM BUDDIES OF CULLMAN COUNTY, VINEMONT, $400.00   

AMAZON, $585.38   

CULLMAN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY, $1000.00   

C&C GRAPHICS, CULLMAN, $3633.83   

MASTER IMAGE INC, BIRMINGHAM, $608.16

Expenditures August 2023: none reported

Expenditures July 2023

MASTER IMAGE INC, BIRMINGHAM, $1500.00

Expenditures June 2023: none reported

Expenditures May 2023: none reported

Expenditures April 2023: none reported

Expenditures March 2023: none reported

Melvin Hasting

PO Box 517, Cullman, AL 35056

Committee 31020

Contributions 2/10-16/2024

TRADITIONS (Bank), CULLMAN, $5,000.00

In-kind contributions:

MELVIN HASTING, $3500.00 

Contributions 2/1-7/2024

REBECCA MOSLEY, VINEMONT, $500.00 

MISSY BLAYLOCK, CULLMAN, $300.00

Contributions January 2024

CARL HASTING, HANCEVILLE, $500.00 

BARBARA GUTOWSKI, CULLMAN, $200.00 

DIANE MANRY, CULLMAN, $100.00

In-Kind Contributions:

MELVIN HASTING, CULLMAN, $6839.85

Contributions December 2023

KIMBERLY DRAKE, CULLMAN, $500.00 

VONDA TANKERSLEY, CULLMAN, $1,000.00

In-Kind Contributions:

MELVIN HASTING, CULLMAN, $1607.23

Contributions November 2023 (in kind only)

MELVIN HASTING, $300.00 

MELVIN HASTING, $182.03 

MELVIN HASTING, $436.00 

MELVIN HASTING, $673.00 

MELVIN HASTING, $1000.00 

MELVIN HASTING, $3029.00 

MELVIN HASTING, $545.78

Expenditures 2/10-16/2024

VISUAL ANTHONY, CULLMAN, $8168.00

Expenditures 2/1-9/2024: none reported

Expenditures December 2023: none reported

Expenditures November 2023: none reported

Candidates for Cullman County Schools Superintendent

Traditions Bank and developer Roy Drinkard have each given $10,000 to Barnette’s campaign, with smaller donations from a political action committee representing the construction industry, several individuals, Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, and the candidate himself. Most of his expenditures have been to Cullman-based design/print company C & C Graphics, and to refund his own initial self-donation. 

Williams’ campaign has received a total of $10,540 in donations, over $8,500 of that from himself. His big expenditures have been to Hanceville-based design/print company Creative Design and Cullman radio station WKUL.

Shane Barnette (Incumbent)

Name listed in state election records as Billy Shane Barnette

PO Box 2635, Cullman, AL 35056

Contributions 2/10-16/2024

TRADITIONS BANK, CULLMAN, $5,000.00 

CHRIS BRANHAM, CULLMAN, $100.00 

ROY DRINKARD, CULLMAN, $10,000.00 

JACK GARNETT, NICEVILLE, FL $100.00

Contributions 2/1-9/2024: none reported

Contributions January 2024

KELLY LEE, VINEMONT, $300.00   

DVA HOLDING COMPANY, MOBILE, AL, $1,000.00   

SIMCOE WOOD PRODUCTS, CULLMAN, $500.00

Contributions December 2023

DAVID GRISSOM, VINEMONT, $500.00 

GARLAN GUDGER, CULLMAN, $200.00

Contributions November 2023

TRADITIONS BANK, CULLMAN, $5,000.00 

JOE T MCNULTY, HANCEVILLE, $250.00 

SHELBY LEDYARD, CULLMAN, $100.00

Contributions October 2023

SHANE BARNETTE, $3600.00

Expenditures 2/10-16/2024

SHANE BARNETTE, CULLMAN, $3600.00   

CULLMAN COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION, CULLMAN, $300.00

Expenditures 2/1-9/2024

WEST POINT BAND BOOSTERS RODEO, VINEMONT, $350.00

Expenditures January 2024

C AND C GRAPHICS, CULLMAN, $1290.61

Expenditures December 2023

C AND C GRAPHICS, CULLMAN, $4188.10   

LOWES, CULLMAN, $336.88   

CULLMAN COUNTY SCHOOLS, $500.00   

SECRETARY OF STATE, MONTGOMERY, AL $312.00

Expenditures November 2023

LOWES, CULLMAN, $60.00

Expenditures October 2023

REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE, CULLMAN, $3540.00

Morris Williams

2820 County Road 940, Cullman, AL 35057

Committee 30760

Contributions 2/10-16/2024: none reported

Contributions 2/1-9/2024 (in-kind only)

TIM PINKARD, CULLMAN, $1000.00

Contributions January 2024 (in kind only)

MORRIS L WILLIAMS, $300.00

Contributions December 2023

TRACEY JONES, CULLMAN, $300.00 

JUSTIN MILLER, CULLMAN, $200.00 

RON STONE, CULLMAN, $100.00 

CLARENCE BENEFIELD, CULLMAN, $100.00

Contributions November 2023

In-kind contributions:

MORRIS L WILLIAMS, $3540.00

Other receipts (loan):

MORRIS L WILLIAMS, $5000.00

Expenditures 2/10-16/2024: none reported

Expenditures 2/1-9/2024: none reported

Expenditures January 2024

WKUL 92.1, CULLMAN, $675.00   

WKUL 92.1, $675.00   

CREATIVE SIGNS, CULLMAN, $329.04   

TOWN OF HOLLY POND, $75.00

Expenditures December 2023

HOLLY POND HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL, HOLLY POND, $100.00   

SOUTHERN LEGACY MARKETING, HOLLY POND, $130.00   

CREATIVE DESIGN, CULLMAN, $568.00

Expenditures November 2023

MODERNISTIC PRINTERS, CULLMAN, $115.00   

CREATIVE DESIGN, HANCEVILLE, $1896.00

The 2024 Primary Election will take place Tuesday, March 5, 2024. www.cullmancourts.org/elections.html

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