Now that qualifying for the fall elections has officially wrapped up, the political season is officially underway and, already, at least one candidate is taking to the airwaves.
Mayoral hopeful Darryl Gissel, a local realtor running as a nonparty candidate, began airing a 30-second television spot today on WAFB-TV. The commercial, which was produced by Sonny Cranch, will run through the end of the week.
Gissel spent $13,900 on the media buy with WAFB, according to Federal Communications Commission records. The ad is not appearing on any other local stations.
Gissel says he wanted to air a television spot early on in the campaign to establish himself in the crowded field to replace three-term Mayor Kip Holden.
“It was really just a way to introduce me as the nonparty, independent candidate,” he says.
Qualifying for the fall elections ended Friday. Twelve candidates qualified to run for mayor. In addition to Gissel, they are: B.J. Amador, “Smokie” Bourgeois, Sharon Weston Broome, Rufus Craig, John Delgado, Braylon Hyde, Greg LaFleur, C. Denise Marcelle, Byron Sharper, Bodi White and Cade Williams.
—Stephanie Riegel
