OCEAN SPRINGS, MS – With the race for mayor heating up in Ocean Springs, a closer look at campaign finance reports reveals stark differences in fundraising strategies, spending habits, and donor origins.
Each candidate was required to file a pre-primary report showing campaign donations and expenditures for the period of January 1 to March 22. The purpose is so that voters can catch a glimpse of who is funding each candidate ahead of the April 1st Primary Election, which will be the deciding factor of who becomes the next mayor of Ocean Springs.
Here’s how the four candidates stack up based on the latest filings.
(Only contributions over $200 are itemized, but all contributions are included in totals.)
Kenny Holloway
- Cash on Hand: $15,596
- Raised This Period: $24,798
- Spent This Period: $74,424
- Total Itemized Donations: 30
- Out-of-City Donations: 17 (56.7%)
- Out-of-State Donations: 4 (13.3%)
Incumbent Mayor Kenny Holloway has outspent all of his challengers — by a lot. Despite raising just under $25,000 this period, his campaign burned through more than $74,000, a sign he had been saving resources for the final stretch. More than half of Holloway’s itemized donations came from outside Ocean Springs, and over 13% originated from outside Mississippi.
Bobby Cox
- Cash on Hand: $27,030
- Raised This Period: $52,932
- Spent This Period: $27,330
- Total Itemized Donations: 70
- Out-of-City Donations: 9 (12.9%)
- Out-of-State Donations: 2 (2.9%)
Bobby Cox leads in cash on hand, giving him a strong runway for the final stretch of the campaign. His contributions are overwhelmingly local, with more than 84% of itemized donors residing in Ocean Springs. Cox’s local fundraising ability paired with low overhead may indicate a disciplined and grassroots-driven campaign.
Dennis McGrevey
- Cash on Hand: $0
- Raised This Period: $3,960 (Self-Funded)
- Spent This Period: $3,960
Dennis McGrevey is running a one-man show. Every dollar raised came from his own pocket, and every dollar spent has already been accounted for. With no outside contributions, McGrevey’s campaign is more of a personal investment than a donor-backed operation.
Jon Hitchcock
- Cash on Hand: $0
- Raised This Period: $0 (plus an in-kind donation of 300 yard signs)
- Spent This Period: $180.74
Jon Hitchcock is proving that campaigns don’t have to cost a fortune. With no reported cash donations and minimal spending, his campaign relies on in-kind support and budget-friendly strategies.
Each of the four candidates’ filings are below. You can scroll through by clicking on the arrow buttons at the bottom of the documents.
Kenny Holloway Filing:
M-Kenny-Holloway-Primary.
Bobby Cox Filing:
M-Bobby-Cox-Primary.
Dennis McGrevey Filing:
M-Dennis-McGrevey-Primary.
Jon Hitchcock Filing:
M-Jon-Hitchcock-Primary
I do not have a horse in this race but if I did, I would choose the one who did not accept outside donations, much less out of state donations. Just my opinion on what I would do.