By Billy Davis

U.S. Rep. Travis Childers raised $220,477 in campaign donations during the first quarter of 2010, outpacing his closest opponent and adding funds to his war chest.

The rookie congressman has raised more than $1 million during the current election cycle, his campaign stated.  

Presently his campaign has  $700,000 cash on hand, according to the Daily Journal in Tupelo.

Childers is preparing for a political fight this fall in Mississippi’s 1st District, where the congressional seat is up for grabs.

He has not drawn a Democrat primary opponent but faces a Republican candidate, and multiple independent and third-party candidates.

Election Day is November 2.

The congressman and his opponents were required to file quarterly campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission.

The campaign of state Sen. Allen Nunnelee, a Republican, announced he raised $150,427 in the first quarter of the year. He has just under $300,000 cash on hand heading into the summer.

Nunnelee is considered by political observers to be Childers’ most formidable opponent among a field of contenders. But the state senator is facing a three-way GOP primary, where he is expected to spend some campaign cash to ensure a first-place finish.

FEC filings show Nunnelee’s GOP opponents, Angela McGlowan and Henry Ross, raised $36,000 and $61,000 in the first quarter respectively.

FEC filings show McGlowan loaned her campaign $10,000 while Ross loaned his campaign $50,000.

Both Nunnelee and Childers have received campaign contributions from Panola County, most of them from last year, records show.

“I’m not going to support a Democrat,” prominent Batesville businessman Robert H. Dunlap said of his contributions to Nunnelee last fall.

Dunlap made two $2,400 donations to Nunnelee’s campaign and $500 to McGlowan, records show.

Dunlap’s wife, Cyd Dunlap, also contributed two $2,400 contributions to Nunnelee, according to records.

Mr. Dunlap, a longtime contributor to Republicans, said he was concerned about the federal government’s spending during shaky economic times.

“We can’t continue to exist as a country like this,” he said. “It’s not going to affect me that much, but I’m concerned about our children and grandchildren.”

Other local contributors to Nunnelee included Treasurer Loans owner John Brasher, who contributed $1,500, and Treasurer Loans employee Stacy Mackey, who contributed $1,000.

Childers’ re-election campaign reported contributions from insurance agent William Cole, who donated $500; Heafner Motors executive Keith Heafner, who gave $500; former Tri-Lakes executive Ray Shoemaker, who donated $2,400; attorney Richard T. “Flip” Phillips, $500; and Jonathan McBride, who donated $250.

Panola County Administrator Kelley Magee and Panola EMA director Daniel Cole contributed $250 each to Childers last fall. Their donations were made at a fund-raiser in Batesville, they said.

Campaign figures show Panola Countians have yet to donate to Childers, Nunnelee or other 1st District candidates in the first quarter of 2010.

Childers raised $1.8 million in 2008, when he faced Southaven Mayor Greg Davis in a hotly contested race. Davis raised $1.5 million in his unsuccessful bid to unseat Childers.