Jones outspending Alexander 4-1 in TN 4th House race

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Unicoi County businesswoman Renea Jones has outraised and outspent her opponent, Elizabethton Mayor Curt Alexander, by a roughly four to one margin in the Tennessee 4th District House Republican primary.

Barring a highly unlikely general election loss, the winner of the Aug. 1 primary will head to Nashville in January to represent Unicoi County and part of Carter County in the seat currently held by John Holsclaw. Holsclaw served five terms before an unsuccessful bid earlier this year for the Carter County Property Assessor’s job once held by his father.

Campaign finance reports show Jones, who operates Jones and Church Farms, raised more than $70,000 before July, in addition to loaning her campaign $45,000. She had spent almost $54,000 through June, leaving her with $66,278.97 going into the campaign’s home stretch.

Alexander reported a $25,000 personal loan to his campaign and an additional $3,050 in donations. That included $2,000 from a political action committee, with the rest coming from four individual donors.

Alexander had spent just over $13,000 through June.

In contrast to Alexander’s handful of donors, Jones’ reports — especially the just-submitted second quarter — showed around 90 individual donors with several political and high-profile business names among them.

Jones’ donors include sitting state Sens. Rusty Crowe and Steve Southerland, former Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, former U.S. Congressman Phil Roe and current and former Washington County mayors Joe Grandy and Dan Eldridge.

Recognizable business leaders include car dealer Andy Dietrich, developer Kelly Wolfe and FACE Amusements founder Clarence Mabe.

At least one more campaign finance report is due before the Aug. 1 election.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.