Greg Vital dominates fundraising in 10th senatorial district GOP primary race

NASHVILLE — Republican Greg Vital dominated second-quarter fundraising in the 10th Senate District GOP primary, reporting $120,425 in contributions versus $17,850 for rival Todd Gardenhire, state filings show.

Tennessee Registry of Election Finance reports also show Democrat Andrae McGary raised $10,797 during the April 1 to June 30 reporting period.

Neither of the two other Democrats running in the Aug. 2 primary, Quenston Coleman and David Testerman, filed financial disclosures by the Tuesday deadline.

Vital, a health care entrepreneur and developer, also loaned his campaign $50,000, bringing the total amount of loans he has made to his campaign to $125,000 after a $75,000 loan in the first quarter, filings show.

Gardenhire, an investment adviser, reported making $20,000 loan to his campaign.

Counting his most recent loan, Vital’s total receipts were $170,175. He reported spending $153,308, at least $19,000 on billboards and nearly $25,000 on radio ads.

Gardenhire’s total receipts, counting his loan, were $37,850. He reported spending $24,626, leaving him with $10,493 as of June 30. He spent more than $18,000 on printing and $2,849 on telephone lists.

Vital contributors include two members of the politically active Brock family. Frank Brock gave $500 while Charles Brock contributed $1,000. Attorney Crotteau gave $200. Other donors include Hixson businessman Lewis Card. Former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe gave $500 while Hamilton County Trustee Bill Hullander contributed $500. Hamilton County Clerk Bill Knowles gave $50.

Gardenhire donors include businessman Zan Guerry $1,000; Julie Guerry, $1,000, and Arthur Rhodes of Cleveland, president of the Church of God World Missions, $250.