The three candidates in the state Senate District 52 race spent more than $150,000 combined on the election, which was decided by fewer than 20,000 voters in the July 31 Republican primary.

The district encompasses more than 170,000 residents in Floyd and parts of Bartow,

Chattooga and Gordon counties.

Candidates running for office this year filed updated spending reports with the State Ethics Commission last week, their first since a June 30 deadline.

Former Floyd County commissioner Chuck Hufstetler won the Senate District 52 seat outright, netting 10,156 votes at a cost of $55,900 — essentially $5.50 per vote.

Among his major donors were the campaign committees of state Sens. Barry Loudermilk of Cassville, David Shafer of Duluth,

Lindsey Tippens of Marietta and Chip Pearson of Dawsonville. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagel’s campaign also donated $2,500 in September.

There is no Democrat on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Hufstetler’s opponents in the primary were David Doss and Hayden Collins Jr.

Doss reported spending $90,000 through the report’s cut-off date of Sept. 30, which translates into about $16.30 for each of his 5,520 votes.

Collins spent $928 and netted 2,867 votes for a cost of 32 cents per vote.

Contested general election races

The reports also provide a snapshot of financial support and spending by candidates in contested races that will be decided in November:

• State House District 12 covers all of Chattooga and the western half of Floyd County.
  
  Democrat Barbara Massey Reece, the incumbent, reported spending $10,000 on her campaign and $41,300 cash on hand as of the Sept. 30 cut-off date.
  
  Eddie Lumsden, her Republican challenger, had spent $10,700 and had $29,000 remaining in his war chest.

• Floyd County Sheriff
  
  Democrat Tim Burkhalter, the incumbent, reported spending $34,000 through Sept. 30 and a balance of $27,000 in the bank.
  
  Cary Cooper, his Republican opponent, spent $4,000 and had a balance of $1,600.

• Floyd County Commission Post 2
  
  Republican Garry E. Fricks, the incumbent, beat Roger Wade in the primary and is now facing Democrat Gary D. Harrell. Wade did not file a Sept. 30 report.
  
  Fricks reported spending $3,200 on both races, leaving him with $1,700 in the bank.
  
  Harrell reported $1,000 in expenses and a $550 balance.

• Floyd County Commission Post 3
  
  Democrat Richard C. Garrett has not yet filed a Sept. 30 report but he said he has no contributions and no expenses.
  
  Incumbent Republican Irwin Bagwell reported $466 in expenses and $2,500 remaining in his campaign chest.

• Floyd County Clerk of Court
  
  Incumbent Democrat Barbara Penson reported $8,340 in expenses and $2,000 cash on hand as of Sept. 30.
  
  Challenger Mark McAllister, a Republican, spent $3,000 and had $958 left in his account.

• The Floyd County School Board District 2 seat represents the Model and Johnson communities.
  
  Incumbent Republican David Cox reported a zero balance after spending $2,500 on his campaign.
  
  Challenger Everett Ballard, a Democrat, reported $1,690 in spending and $9.94 cash on hand.