Manassas Journal Messenger | Candidates report donations, expenses

Manassas Delegate Harry J. Parrish, R-50th, and his wife Mattie donated $250 to Republican Douglas Waldron’s mayoral campaign. Republican Councilman Harry J. “Hal” Parrish II, didn’t receive a donation from his parents for his re-election campaign.

“To tell you the truth, that hadn’t even come up,” Hal Parrish said. “I didn’t send them my letters.”

Not that Parrish needed the money. The younger Parrish received 89 contributions, more than any other city candidate. Of those contributions, 79 were under $100. Parrish hoped that means people support him, he said. Including a balance of $5,102.15 from previous campaigns, Parrish had a total of $13,219.15 to spend this campaign season.

As of this week, he reported spending $2,151.28, mostly on signs and mailings, similar to the other candidates. He also spent $30 for fuel from Parrish family-owned Manassas Ice and Fuel Company. Parrish, 53, is running for a fourth term on council.

Former Manassas Republican party chair John Gregory contributed $250 to all four Republican candidates, and current chair Tony Kostelecky gave them $125 each.

Manassas Sen. Charles J. Colgan, D-29th, donated $100 to Democratic candidate for mayor Charles Sturms.

“I thought it was a very nice gesture on his part,” Sturms said. “We sat down and had a nice long meeting over lunch, and talked about the campaign, and I thought he was very helpful.”

Sturms, 65, received 55 donations, 35 of them under $100, for a total of $5,092.99. He reported an additional $5,000 in loans, and spent $6,617.89.

Georgetown South Community Council President Hannah Senft donated $100 to Sturms, and the Manassas Democrats gave him $500. He received various large donations from area workers, including employees from Lockheed Martin, Long and Foster Realty, a farm manager and a jeweler. He also received $100 from Terrance Devine, an employee of John Gregory’s Gregory Construction.

Waldron, 47, received 87 donations, 72 of them under $100. He received a total of $8,020 and spent $7,085.27.

Independent candidate for mayor, Steven W. Grimes, 24, received three large donations from his employer, General Dynamics, and one contribution under $100, for a total of $450. He spent $425.61.

Councilman Ulysses X. “Xerk” White, 73, received $10,365.99 from 52 contributors, 39 giving less than $100, and spent $8,575.80 for his mayoral campaign as an independent. Some of White’s largest contributors included W.T. Merchant, who gave $1,000, Ray Willis of R.W. Books in Old Town and resident A.J. Jones, who attends most city meetings.

Jackson Miller, 36, received eight contributions, three of them under $100, for a total of $775. The Republican candidate for council reported $4,750 in loans, and spent $1,065.89.

Republican candidate for council Steven Smith, 50, received 43 donations, 37 of them under $100, for a total of $3,594. He spent $1,325, including $1,140 he paid to Comcast Cable.{ads? Tried to call reporter at 5:45. No answer}.

Independent candidate for council Clyde Wimmer, 66, received 11 large contributions, for a total of $3,700. He spent $2,426.62. Councilman Robert Oliver gave Wimmer $50, and Steve Fay of Battlefield Ford contributed $1,000 to Wimmer’s campaign.

Candidates can keep leftover campaign funds in an open account with the registrar’s office, pay back loans they made to their campaigns from personal funds, or donate the money to charity, said Manassas Registrar Linda Womack.

Manassas residents will vote for three council spots and mayor on May 4.