Smith spent $1.5 million in 2007

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:14:50 -0500

Fred Smith spent $1.5 million in 2007.

The Republican gubernatorial candidate's biggest expense was $532,992 to a company run by his chief of staff, Jonathan Hill, for staff salaries and grassroots organizing.

Smith also spent $359,915 to SouthData, a Mount Airy-based printing company that published Smith's autobiography, "A Little Extra Effort," and mailed copies to thousands of North Carolinians.

Hill said that the book was one part of a statewide effort to build name recognition. The other part was a series of barbecues held in all 100 counties.

"We have a long-term plan and we're running that plan," said Hill. "It was to have a conservation with the people across the whole state."

As previously reported, Smith spent more than $90,000 on barbecue alone. He also spent $13,745 on facility rental for the events.

He also paid country singer Lee Greenwood $100,000, spent $176,374 to the producers of his TV ads, paid political consultant Karen Rotterman $45,000 and spent $12,538 on a half-page ad in the Charlotte Observer.

newsobserver.com projects - Smith spent $1.5 million in 2007 - Comments

Smith spent $1.5 million in 2007