Candidates raise thousands of dollars hoping it will help promote their campaigns. But it’s not always the ticket to victory in municipal races.

In Collierville, 11 candidates for alderman raised money ahead of the Nov. 3 election, and four are now headed to a runoff. There are two races on the Dec. 8 runoff ballot as no candidate in Positions 3 or 4 received more than 50% of ballots cast in the municipal election as required by the town’s charter.

Incumbent Alderman John Worley will face challenger Harold Booker for Position 3.

Booker reported $11,105 in contributions — more than twice as much as Worley — $100 of which was his own money. More than 25% of donations to Booker’s campaign ($3,375) was from people living outside of Collierville, including some living in other parts of the country. Donors included family and many retired military veterans. He spent more than $10,300 for signs, literature, T-shirts and other campaign materials. Often, candidates have volunteers stand at polls holding campaign signs. Booker paid people to do so at $8 per hour.

Efforts to reach Booker by phone on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Worley had more than $8,200 left from previous campaigns. In 2016, he ran unopposed so funds from 2012 rolled over to 2020, he noted. This past year, he put his own $7,000 into it and raised $5,250 in campaign contributions, A Collierville business professional and residents of the town contributed a combined $3,050. Candidates are required to list contributions of more than $100. 

“Most of my donations are word-of-mouth and friends,” Worley said. “I have not accepted any developer money whatsoever.”

Some like to point the finger at Worley saying he has financial relationships with developers, but his disclosures don’t reflect that connection.

He spent money on signs and worked with Margin of Victory Partners, an election firm that works with conservative candidates. Collierville races are non-partisan in nature, and candidates are elected at-large – voters across the town selecting all of the aldermen.

William Boone, who is facing Missy Marshall for Position 4, raised $2,545. Some came from Collierville firefighters. He also listed an in-kind contribution — a non-monetary donation — worth $1,600 from Trip Trezevant, who owns a number of billboards. Boone’s picture was seen by drivers entering Collierville via U.S. 72. About $44 he spent in the third quarter was unaccounted for according to financial disclosures, and Boone said any money unaccounted for he paid out of pocket, although it was not reported. Most of his money was spent on signs and literature. However, some of his signs from his unsuccessful run for Position 1 two years ago have also popped up in recent weeks.

“I’m thankful for everybody who donated,” he said, touting he didn’t have to spend much money. “All people need is someone who is going to listen to what’s going on with their problems.”

He said his engagement with the public doesn’t cost anything, and he believes that is carrying him.

Marshall raised $5,550, and added more than $12,000 of her own money into her campaign funds. Her contributors included many people with whom she previously worked and a number of well-respected leaders in the state like Rep. Paul Rose, R-Covington; Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge; and Jim Henry, a deputy governor under Gov. Bill Haslam.

She said those are mentors, public servant examples and “people that believe in (her).” They weren’t trying to influence her to run but supported her decision.

“Clearly (during the pandemic) getting messaging out, getting your information out to educate voters about your priorities, values, platform and concerns was a challenge,” Marshall said. 

She paid District Edge Campaigns, according to disclosures. She focused heavily on mail and placed door hangers on thousands of homes. She said she didn’t host any formal fundraisers, but accepted unsolicited contributions.