Reporting Period Reviewed: 01/15/2026 – 05/12/2026
(Including prior balances and earlier 2026 annual filings for incumbents)
Campaign finance reports filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections for Worcester County Commissioner candidates reveal major differences in fundraising sources, campaign spending, and cash reserves entering the 2026 election season. The filings cover candidates in both District 1 and District 2, including incumbents Caryn Abbott and Diana Purnell, along with challengers Laura Gladding Morrison, Shaun Shockley, and Roxie Dennis. The reports detail campaign balances carried over from previous cycles, large business and individual donations, self-funding, in-kind support from local businesses, and thousands of dollars spent on signs, printed materials, advertising, and campaign operations. Among the notable disclosures were a $5,000 contribution to Abbott from Paramount Carter Venture, significant prior cash reserves maintained by Purnell, and differing fundraising strategies between candidates relying on broad small-dollar support versus a smaller number of larger donors.
District 1
Caryn Abbott (Incumbent)
Financial Overview
- Prior campaign balance entering period: $426.82
- Contributions received during reporting period: $7,455
- Expenditures during reporting period: $4,895.42
- Ending cash balance: $2,986.40
Prior Filing Activity
Abbott’s 2026 Annual filing showed:
- Prior balance: $501.82
- No contributions during that filing period
- One $75 expenditure for Chamber of Commerce dues reimbursement.
Contributions Breakdown
Largest Contributions
Business Contributions
- Paramount Carter Venture — $5,000
- Lakewood, NJ
- Largest single contribution reviewed among all commissioner candidates in the filings provided.
- Miles Building Supply — $20
- Pocomoke City business contribution
Individual Contributions
- W.T. Brittingham — $1,000
- Excavation contractor
- Pocomoke City
- Charles Hall — $500
- Hall Realty – Real Estate
- Pocomoke City
- Marybeth Bozman — $250
- Tammy Truitt — $200
- Self-employed
Additional contributions ranged from $35 to $150.
Contribution Statistics
Monetary Contributions
- Total raised: $7,455
- Business contributions: 2 totaling $5,020
- Individual contributions: 9 totaling $2,435
Average Contributions
- Average business contribution: $2,510
- Average individual contribution: approximately $270.56
Fundraising Composition
- Approximately 67% of Abbott’s fundraising came from business entities.
- Approximately 33% came from individuals.
Top Expenditures
- Smart Graphics Design — $1,660.12
- Brochure advertising
- Neighborhood Signs and Stickers, LLC — $1,105
- Outdoor advertising/signage
- Miles Building Supply — $457.41
- Sign building materials
- Wally Makuchals — $424
- Billboard/outdoor advertising work
- Smart Graphics Design — $193.98
- Rack cards
Additional smaller expenditures included Lowe’s sign supplies, Republican Women of Worcester County meeting expenses, and Board of Elections expenses.
Notable Observations
- Abbott reported the highest monetary fundraising total among District 1 candidates reviewed.
- The Paramount Carter Venture contribution alone represented roughly two-thirds of all money raised during the filing period.
- Campaign spending focused heavily on signs, brochures, and outdoor advertising.
Shaun Shockley
Financial Overview
- Prior balance entering reporting period: $0
- Contributions received: $2,950
- In-kind contributions: $195.04
- Expenditures: $1,669
- Ending cash balance: $1,281
Contributions Breakdown
Largest Contributions
Individual Contributions
- W.T. Brittingham — $1,000
- Todd Burbage — $500
- Blue Water Development Co. developer
- Edward Phillips — $500
- Michael Pruitt — $250
Business Contributions
- Baily Contracting LLC — $500
In-Kind Contribution
- Smith’s Septic Service Inc. — $195.04
- Tee shirts with campaign logo
Contribution Statistics
Monetary Contributions
- Total monetary contributions: $2,950
- Business contributions: 1 totaling $500
- Individual contributions: 6 totaling $2,450
Average Contributions
- Average business contribution: $500
- Average individual contribution: approximately $408.33
Top Expenditures
- Gardner Sign Inc. — $821.50
- Yard signs
- Gardner Sign Inc. — $715.50
- Outdoor signage
- Lance Massey — $132
- Campaign merchandise/buttons/T-shirts
Notable Observations
- Shockley’s fundraising relied on several larger individual donations rather than a wide donor base.
- The campaign focused spending primarily on signage and promotional materials.
- Local business support included both direct and in-kind donations.
Laura Gladding Morrison
Financial Overview
- Prior balance entering reporting period: $0
- Contributions received: $4,730
- In-kind contributions: $360
- Expenditures: $2,050.59
- Ending cash balance: $2,979.41
Largest Contributions
Individual Contributions
- Beth Sharpley — $1,000
- Sharp Tech co-owner
- Joseph Mitrecic — $500
- Self-employed construction (Editor’s note: District 7 Worcester County Commissioner)
- Hailia Cleaver — $500
- Retired
Business Contributions
- Eventfully Yours, LLC — $500
- Greg S. Butler Insurance — $200
In-Kind
- Dockside — $360 in-kind contribution
Contribution Statistics
Monetary Contributions
- Total monetary contributions: $4,730
- Business contributions: 2 totaling $700
- Individual contributions: 20 totaling $4,030
Average Contributions
- Average business contribution: $350
- Average individual contribution: approximately $201.50
Top Expenditures
- ACE Printing and Mailing — $1,825.52
- Outdoor advertising
- ACE Printing and Mailing — $119.08
- Printing materials
- Evite — $105.99
- Advertising expense
Notable Observations
- Morrison reported the broadest donor base among the candidates reviewed.
- Her fundraising relied more heavily on numerous smaller individual donors than large business contributions.
- Campaign spending focused primarily on printed materials and outdoor advertising.
District 2
Diana Purnell (Incumbent)
Financial Overview
- Prior campaign balance entering reporting period: $3,530.93
- Contributions received: $700
- Expenditures: $2,856.87
- Ending cash balance: $1,374.06
Prior Filing
Purnell also filed an affidavit for the earlier annual reporting period stating the committee had not exceeded $1,000 in activity.
Contributions Breakdown
Business Contributions
- Bergey & Company, P.A. — $500
- Accounting/business entity
Individual Contributions
- Martha J. Bennett — $200
- Retired
Contribution Statistics
- Total contributions: $700
- Business contributions: 1 totaling $500
- Individual contributions: 1 totaling $200
Average Contributions
- Average business contribution: $500
- Average individual contribution: $200
Top Expenditures
- ABC Printing — $1,950.40
- Outdoor customized printed signs
- ABC Printers — $795
- Yard signs
- Campaign reimbursement — $111.47
- Printed campaign cards
Notable Observations
- Purnell relied heavily on an existing campaign balance accumulated before this filing period.
- Spending during the reporting window exceeded new fundraising by more than $2,100.
- Nearly all campaign spending went toward signs and printed materials.
Roxie Dennis
Financial Overview
- Prior balance entering reporting period: $500
- Contributions received: $1,150
- Expenditures: $0
- Ending cash balance: $1,650
Contributions Breakdown
Individual/Self Contributions
- Roxie Dennis campaign/self entries — $650 cash and $400 check
- Albert & Raye Simpson — $100
- Retired donors from Newark
Contribution Statistics
- Total monetary contributions: $1,150
- Business contributions: 0
- Individual/self contributions: 3 totaling $1,150
Average Contribution
- Average individual/self contribution: approximately $383.33
Expenditures
- No expenditures were reported during this filing period.
Overall Comparison
| Candidate | Prior Balance | Raised This Period | Business Contrib.s | Individual Contrib.s | Spending | Ending Cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caryn Abbott | $426.82 | $7,455 | $5,020 | $2,435 | $4,895.42 | $2,986.40 |
| Laura Gladding Morrison | $0 | $4,730 | $700 | $4,030 | $2,050.59 | $2,979.41 |
| Shaun Shockley | $0 | $2,950 | $500 | $2,450 | $1,669 | $1,281 |
| Diana Purnell | $3,530.93 | $700 | $500 | $200 | $2,856.87 | $1,374.06 |
| Roxie Dennis | $500 | $1,150 | $0 | $1,150 | $0 | $1,650 |
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