FRANKLIN—The two candidates for mayor spent less money than the three candidates spent two years ago.

Mayor Jim Councill and challenger James Riddick Sr. spent a combined total of more than $6,000 for the May 4 election, according to campaign finance reports. Councill received

56 percent of the vote to be re-elected to his eighth term.

Two years ago, Councill and his challengers, Greg McLemore and Ellis Crum, spent a combined total of more than $7,700 on the race.

This year, Councill spent a little more than $2,000, while Riddick spent more than $4,000 in his losing quest for the mayor’s seat. Two years ago, Councill spent about $1,400 on the race.

In other races, Councilman-elect McLemore spent more than $1,000 in his successful bid to unseat Councilwoman Rosa Lawrence in Ward 3. Lawrence’s report lists expenditures of $100.

In Ward 6, Councilman-elect Don Blythe Sr. spent $320, while his opponents, Jamie Brown and Ray Smith, spent $251 and $100, respectively.

Councilwoman Mary Hilliard, who was unopposed in her re-election bid to the Ward 5 seat, spent $100.