Four Murphy City Council candidates have filed 30-day preelection campaign finance reports ahead of the upcoming Saturday, May 3, municipal election, detailing their fundraising and expenditures in compliance with state law.

The reports were filed by Place 1 Councilmember Elizabeth Abraham, challenger Nadeem Khan, Place 4 candidate Chris Stout and Place 6 Councilmember Jené Butler.

No reports were filed by Place 4 Councilmember Ken Oltmann, Place 6 candidate Qasim Rasul or Place 2 Councilmember Scott Smith, who is unopposed.

Abraham reported total political expenditures of $376.53 for the period Jan. 27 through April 3, including $248.74 for printing and $127.79 for online advertising. She reported no political contributions during the period.

For the similar period, Khan reported total political contributions of $2,326.00 and total political expenditures of $1,561.06, with $814.94 remaining at the end of the reporting period.

Khan said his spending included printing expenses of $524.93 for post cards and door hangars, $460.58 for yard signs and $192.75 for flyers.

Stout’s report listed no political contributions or expenditures during the filing period.

Butler reported $212.15 in printing expenses and no political contributions.

Under state law, political committees involved in elections must file campaign finance reports 30 and eight days before the election, even if they report no activity during the eight-day period.

According to the Texas Election Code §254.038, any committee that files a 30-day preelection report is also required to file the eight-day pre-election report. Political committees may choose a modified reporting schedule if planning to stay under $1,010 in both contributions and expenditures.

The reports provide transparency to voters and regulators regarding the financial activity of campaigns and are reviewed by the Texas Ethics Commission.

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