CULLMAN, Ala. – The Tribune continues its observance of campaign finances with this look at the candidates for Cullman City Council. Items for this story were gathered from reports filed for the period from May 1- Aug. 1, 2025. If a candidate formed his or her committee late in the campaign, the weekly report for Aug. 2-8, 2025, was included.
In this race, Traditions Bank has appeared as a keenly interested party, supporting one incumbent while pouring large donations into efforts to unseat other council members. In the period observed, Traditions gave $5,000 to incumbent Brad Smith, $5,000 to challenger Pete Nassetta running against David Moss, $10,000 to challenger Jason Willoughby running against Johnny Cook and $12,500 to challenger Kim Hall running against current Council President Jenny Folsom.
Roy Drinkard and Drinkard Development, often large donors, also made their mark on the campaign with $2,500 to Moss and $7,500 (mostly in-kind and reimbursed or canceled) to Willoughby. Seeming to hedge its bets, the company gave to both challenger and incumbent in the Place 5 race ($5,000 to Folsom and $2,500 to Hall).
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 1
Brad Smith (incumbent)
No contributions or expenditures reported for May
June 2025 contributions
- SCHWAIGER CONSTRUCTION, Cullman – $500.00
- KREPS LAW FIRM LLC, Birmingham – $1,111.11
- HOOPER ENTERPRISES OF CULLMAN LLC, Cullman – $1,000.00
- SARAH KENT, Cullman – $1,000.00
- LAW FIRM OF NAIL AND SPARKS LLC, Cullman – $250.00
- TANKERSLEY RENTALS, Cullman – $500.00
- GERALD WOOTTEN, Cullman – $500.00
- JOHN GUTHRIE, Cullman – $250.00
- JACOB MULLINS, Vinemont – $1,000.00
- CAITLIN SCHIEHL, Cullman – $1,000.00
TOTAL $7,111.11
June 2025 expenditures
- CITY OF CULLMAN – $50.00
- SHANE VARNADOE, Fayette – $500.00
- MARVINS, Cullman – $76.19
TOTAL $626.19
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, contributions
- GREGORY WINDHAM, Cullman – $500.00
- TRADITIONS BANK, Cullman – $5,000.00
- MANER LAW FIRM LLC, Birmingham – $2,500.00
- NELL DUNLAP, Cullman – $500.00
- BLANCHE KENT, Cullman – $200.00
- ALEX CHANEY, Cullman – $500.00
- BRIAN DOVE, Andalusia – $200.00
- SELF (loan) – $500.00
TOTAL $9,900.00
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, expenditures
- MAIN STREET CHECKS, Birmingham – $25.38
- C & C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $458.96
- JOSH JORDAN, Cullman – $950.00
- ALAMITOS MEXICAN, Cullman – $146.09
- JOSH JORDAN, Cullman – $500.00
- CULLMAN 31 NUTRITION, Cullman – $80.22
- MARVINS, Cullman – $39.00
- JOSH JORDAN, Cullman – $408.00
- CREATIVE DESIGN, Cullman – $862.58
TOTAL $3,470.23
Chuck Shikle (challenger)
No reports for May
June 2025 contributions
- MR. CHARLES SHIKLE II, Cullman – $500.00
- MR. JOHN BURROWS, Cullman – $2,500.00
- MR. JOSEPH CONE, Hanceville – $500.00
- MR. DENNIS BORWICK, Vinemont – $600.00
TOTAL $4,100.00
June 2025 expenditures
- CREATIVE SIGNS, Cullman – $175.77
- MISS KATE HOOD, Cullman – $275.00
TOTAL $450.77
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, contributions
- MR. MIKE PONDER, Cullman – $1,000.00
- MR. RANDY JOHNSON, Cullman – $1,000.00
- LEORNARD DESIGN, Cullman – $500.00
- BROTHERS CONCRETE SUPPLY, Cullman (in kind) – $9,942.42
TOTAL $12,442.42
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, expenditures
- MODERNISTIC PRINTERS, Cullman – $127.53
- GO TEES, Jasper – $1,696.84
- CHEROKEE CHEVRON GAS STATION, Cullman – $114.17
- WALMART, Cullman – $64.15
- CREATIVE SIGNS, Cullman – $137.08
- CREATIVE SIGNS, Cullman – $423.15
- LOWES, Cullman – $248.52
- PUBLIX, Cullman – $161.84
- MARVINS, Cullman – $44.45
- ARBY’S, Cullman – $4.35
- GO TEES, Jasper – $1,533.00
- CHAMBERS FARM AND GARDEN, Cullman – $367.09
- CITY OF CULLMAN – $61.00
- MARVINS, Cullman – $46.86
- MARVINS, Cullman – $32.68
- MARVINS, Cullman – $32.69
- PIZZA HUT, Cullman – $123.60
- MOE’S ORIGINAL BBQ, Cullman – $38.70
- EXXON, Cullman – $66.17
TOTAL $5,323.87
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 2
David Moss (incumbent)
Committee formed in July; no May or June reports
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, contributions
- JOSH CANADAY, Cullman – $500.00
- BRIAN DOVE, Cullman – $200.00
- ROY DRINKARD, Cullman – $2,500.00
- RON PIERCE, Cullman – $500.00
- GERALD WOOTTEN, Cullman – $500.00
- NELL DUNLAP, Cullman – $500.00
- ROB WERNER, Cullman – $400.00
- SELF (loan) – $5,000.00
- CREATIVE DESIGNS, Cullman (refund) – $2,939.73
TOTAL $13,039.73
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, expenditures
- SHANE VARNADOE, Fayette – $500.00
- CREATIVE DESIGNS, Cullman – $4,689.18
- AMERICAN CLASSICS INC, Hanceville – $713.00
- CREATIVE DESIGNS, Cullman – $676.85
- AMERICAN CLASSICS INC, Hanceville – $328.50
- CSG PRINTING, Cullman – $882.35
- CREATIVE DESIGNS, Cullman – $676.85
TOTAL $8,466.73
Due to lack of early reports, Aug. 2-8 report included here.
No contributions reported.
Aug. 2-8, 2025, expenditures
- WKUL, Cullman – $1,120.00
- CULLMAN TRIBUNE, Cullman – $900.00
TOTAL $2,020.00
Pete Nassetta (challenger)
Committee formed late; no May or June reports.
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, contributions
- SELF – $3,100
- MR. BOB ATKINS, Cullman – $200.00
- MR. RANDY JOHNSON, Cullman – $1,000.00
- MR. JUNIOR HEATON, Cullman – $100.00
- MR. MIKE WATERS, Cullman – $250.00
- MR. BILL MCCARTNEY, Cullman – $100.00
- MARTHA WILLIAMS, Cullman – $100.00
TOTAL $4,850.00
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, expenditures
- C & C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $2,128.55
TOTAL $2,128.55
Aug. 2-8, 2025, contributions
- TRADITIONS BANK, Cullman – $5,000.00
TOTAL $5,000.00
No Aug. 2-8, 2025, expenditures reported.
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 3
Johnny Cook (incumbent)
May 2025 contributions
- HOOPER ENTERPRISES OF CULLMAN LLC, Cullman – $2,000.00
- SELF (in kind) – $153.86
TOTAL $2,153.86
May 2025 expenditures
- C&C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $869.95
- MARVINS, Cullman – $290.94
- C&C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $136.71
- MARVINS, Cullman – $120.42
TOTAL $1,418.02
June 2025 contributions
- TANKERSLEY RENTALS, Cullman – $500.00
- ROB WERNER, Cullman – $300.00
- BILLY MEEKS, Cullman – $200.00
- RONALD H PIERCE, Cullman – $500.00
- BURL REID, Cullman – $300.00
- JONATHAN COLLINS, Vinemont – $200.00
- JOHNNY GREEN, Cullman – $500.00
- BRANDON SCHULTZ, Cullman – $300.00
- SELF (in kind) – $180.00
TOTAL $2,980.00
June 2025 expenditures
- MARVINS, Cullman – $321.33
- C&C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $322.95
- MARVINS, Cullman – $322.23
- CSG PRINTING, Cullman – $975.47
- C&C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $1,885.19
- MARVINS, Cullman – $53.64
- 99.9 FM WRJL RADIO, Eva – $3,600.00
- SHANE VARNADOE, Fayette – $500.00
- MARVINS, Cullman – $291.29
TOTAL $8,272.10
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, contributions
- JACOB M MULLINS, Vinemont – $2,500.00
- EDMOND BEDARD, Cullman – $100.00
- GERALD E WOOTTEN III, Cullman – $500.00
- SELF – $90.00
- FRIENDS OF RETIREES, Montgomery – $250.00
- SELF (in kind) – $425.00
TOTAL $3,865.00
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, expenditures
- WKUL-FM, Cullman – $3,963.50
- THE CULLMAN TRIBUNE, Cullman – $900.00
- DUCK RIVER HAT CO., Cullman – $360.00
- DUCK RIVER HAT CO., Cullman – $435.00
- THE CULLMAN TRIBUNE, Cullman – $1800.00
- CHS BASEBALL BOOSTERS, Cullman – $200.00
- C&C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $534.91
TOTAL $8,193.41
Jason Willoughby (challenger)
No report for May 2025.
June 2025 contributions
- TRADITIONS BANK, Cullman – $10,000.00
- RANDY CHILDERS CONSTRUCTION LLC, Cullman – $200.00
- SELF (in kind) – $115.00
TOTAL $10,315.00
June 2025 expenditures
- ROOTS MEDIA MANAGEMENT, Cullman – $1,500.00
- MODERNISTIC PRINTERS INC, Cullman – $86.12
- MODERNISTIC PRINTERS INC, Cullman – $408.76
- TONY MALLARD CONSTRUCTION, Cullman – $2,400.00
- EQUIPMENT LOGISTICS INC, Hanceville – $0.73
TOTAL $4,395.61
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, contributions
- DRINKARD DEVELOPMENT LLC, Cullman – $2,500.00
- EQUIPMENT LOGISTICS INC, Hanceville (in kind) – $28.00
- DRINKARD DEVELOPMENT LLC, Cullman (in kind) – $2,500.00
- DRINKARD DEVELOPMENT LLC – $2,500 in kind contribution reimbursed or cancelled
- DRINKARD DEVELOPMENT LLC (in kind) – $2500.00
- DRINKARD DEVELOPMENT LLC – second $2,500 in kind contribution reimbursed or cancelled
- SELF (loan) – $5,000.00
NET TOTAL $7,528.00
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, expenditures
- MODERNISTIC PRINTERS INC, Cullman – $203.83
- C&C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $4,548.60
- QUALITY OUTDOOR ADV LLC, Cullman – $2,200.00
- CULLMAN SHOPPERS GUIDE, Cullman – $208.00
- MODERNISTIC PRINTERS INC, Cullman – $203.84
- ROOTS MEDIA MANAGEMENT, Cullman – $1,500.00
- C&C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $867.74
- WKUL FM, Cullman – $980.00
TOTAL $10,712.01
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 4
Paul Schaffer will take Place 4, currently held by departing Councilman Clint Hollingsworth, when Hollingsworth’s term expires in November. Schaffer was the sole qualifier for the seat this election cycle.
CITY COUNCIL PLACE 5
Jenny Folsom (incumbent)
May 2025 contributions
- DRINKARD DEVELOPMENT, Cullman – $5,000.00
- HURBERT GRISSOM JR., Tampa FL – $250.00
- DONNA HENDRIX, Cullman – $500.00
- JACOB MULLINS, Vinemont – $1,000.00
- SELF (loan) – $5,000.00
TOTAL $11,750.00
No May expenditures reported.
June 2025 contributions
- NELL DUNLAP, Cullman – $500.00
- TRYSTAN WEAVER, Cullman – $500.00
- MISSY BLAYLOCK, Cullman – $125.00
- RON PIERCE, Cullman – $500.00
- JEREMY WOOTTEN, Cullman – $1,000.00
TOTAL $2,625.00
June 2025 expenditures
- CULLMAN TRIBUNE, Cullman – $3,600.00
- CITY OF CULLMAN – $50.00
- TIMOTHY THOMPSON, Hanceville – $200.00
- C & C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $1,410.50
- CHAMBERS FARM, Cullman – $211.22
- C & C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $158.19
- TIMOTHY THOMPSON, Hanceville – $150.00
- HATCH STRATEGIES, Cullman – $5,000.00
- SHANE VERNADOE, Fayette – $500.00
TOTAL $11,279.91
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, contributions
- RONNIE APEL, Vinemont – $1,000.00
- C & W RENTALS, Cullman – $300.00
- BLANCHE KENT, Cullman – $200.00
- BILLY MCFARLAND, Birmingham – $250.00
- RAYMOND WILLIAMS, Cullman – $300.00
- FRIENDS OF RETIREES, Montgomery – $250.00
- SELF (loan) – $5,000.00
TOTAL $7,300.00
Kim Hall (challenger)
May 2025 contributions
- TRADITIONS BANK, Cullman – $5,000.00
- SELF (in kind) – $141.39
TOTAL $5,141.39
May 2025 expenditures
- CULLMAN SAVINGS BANK, Cullman – $26.08
- QUALITY OUTDOOR ADVERTISING, Cullman – $1,762.00
TOTAL $1,788.08
June 2025 contributions
- DEWAYNE CAIN, Rockwall TX – $1,000.00
- JOHN RILEY, Cullman – $750.00
- MAX AND KAY TOWNSON, Cullman – $1,000.00
- TRADITIONS BANK, Cullman – $7,500.00
- HOWARD M BELSER III, Decatur – $150.00
- RANDY CHILDERS, Cullman – $500.00
- RONALD APEL, Vinemont – $1,000.00
- MISSY BLAYLOCK, Cullman – $125.00
- HOOPER ENTERPRISES, Cullman – $2,000.00
- DRINKARD DEVELOPMENT, Cullman – $2,500.00
- RANDY JOHNSON, Cullman – $1,000.00
- AXIOM CONSULTING, Orange Beach – $500.00
- LAYNE AND TIFFANY LOWERY, Cullman – $1,000.00
- WRENDA HUMPHREY, Vinemont – $300.00
- GLORIA WILLIAMS, Cullman – $250.00
- SELF (in kind) – $56.68
- MAX AND KAY TOWNSON, Cullman (in kind) – $41.50
- MARK HALL, Cullman (in kind) – $492.32
TOTAL $20,165.50
June 2025 expenditures
- THE PARTY MARQUEE, Cullman – $3,000.00
- LAMAR ADVERTISING, Huntsville – $5,545.00
- THE PARTY MARQUEE, Cullman – $2000.00
- HYPE DESIGN, Cullman – $100.00
- CANVA US INC., Austin TX – $645.00
- C & C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $516.46
- C & C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $764.12
- C & C GRAPHICS, Cullman – $3,365.56
- CITY OF CULLMAN – $50.00
- SOCIAL MEDIA VISUAL, Cullman – $608.40
TOTAL $16,594.54
July 26-Aug. 1, 2025, contributions
- DR. GREG WINDHAM, Cullman – $200.00
- ROB WERNER, Cullman – $400.00
- LIBBY HILL, Cullman – $300.00
- MARK HALL, Cullman – $408.82
TOTAL $1,308.82
July 26-Aug 1, 2025, expenditures
- LAMAR ADVERTISING, Atlanta GA – $4,500.00
- WKUL, Cullman – $468.75
- CULLMAN FOOTBALL ACADEMY, Hanceville – $150.00
- CULLMAN COMMUNITY RADIO, Cullman – $325.00
- DIGITAL MEDIA NATIONAL DIGITAL MEDIA NATIONAL, INC, Tuscaloosa – $100.00
- FLAVORS BAKERY, Cullman – $39.24
- VISUAL ANTHONY LLC, Cullman – $2,500.00
TOTAL $8,082.99
The Cullman Municipal Election will take place Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
