158th District campaigns will pick up pace, candidates say

The three Republican candidates hoping to win their party's nomination in Cape Girardeau's 158th Missouri House District are taking their time getting organized and raising money.

Tuesday was the deadline for filing campaign finance reports detailing fundraising and spending from Jan. 1 to March 31. Of the three GOP candidates in the August primary, only Jeff Glenn reported raising money during the period. He collected $3,985, including a $500 personal loan to the campaign.

Clint Tracy, who joined the race near the end of the filing period, reported limited activity, which means he didn't raise or spend $1,000 before April 1. Wayne Wallingford, who along with Glenn joined the race on the first day of filing in February, didn't organize his committee before April 1, which means he was not required to file a disclosure report. But Wallingford said he's raised about $8,000 so far for his primary campaign effort.

The low total doesn't mean the campaign is off to a slow start, Glenn said. Instead, the one-time aide to former U.S. senator Jim Talent said he's not conducted any direct mail appeals or held any fundraisers and that shows in the total.

"We are only going to pick up the pace from here," Glenn said.

All three candidates announced their plans after Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, said she would not seek a full term in the seat she won in a Feb. 5 special election. "We believe we have the right message, the right experience and the right record for the community," Glenn said.

The late filing of organizing papers isn't a sign of a lax attitude toward the campaign, Wallingford said. He said he became aware of requirements for electronic filing of reports last week and filed organization papers at that time. Members of the Missouri Ethics Commission staff said organizing the campaign after April 1 meant he did not have to file a report in this round, Wallingford said.

The campaign is preparing for several fundraising events, he said, and will intensify his other efforts in coming months. Most of the $8,000 raised so far is from family and friends, he added.

"We are pleased with it so far," he said. "People are joining behind us."

Tracy could not be reached for comment.

From the reports by other area lawmakers and legislative candidates:

• State Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, reported raising $63,440 for re-election to his second term representing the 27th Senate District. He reported spending $106,795, of which $87,550 represents refunds of contributions in excess of state limits and $13,500 was for payments to House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, for consulting services. Crowell's biggest refund was $39,350 to Rex Sinquefield, a Westphalia businessman who has become a major contributor to politicians supporting school vouchers and other conservative causes. Sinquefield is the sole funder for a group of 100 political action committees, 58 of which contributed $675 each to Crowell's campaign fund. Crowell had $117,260 on hand as of March 31.
• Linda Sanders of Jackson, Crowell's Democratic opponent, organized her committee April 3 and was not required to file a report.
• State Rep. Billy Pat Wright, R-Dexter, reported raising $21,765 in the reporting period for his re-election in the 159th District. He spent $1,612 and had $27,246 on hand.
• Former U.S. representative Bill Burlison of Advance, Wright's Democratic opponent, reported raising $100 and spending $1,095 during the period. He had $3,438 on hand.
• Michael Winder of Marquand, Mo., a Democrat making his second bid for the 156th District seat Jetton must give up because of term limits, reported raising $1,835 during the first quarter of the year. He reported spending $2,696 and had $570 in the bank.
• Shelley Keeney of Marble Hill, Mo., the Republican candidate and aide to Jetton seeking to replace her boss, reported raising $12,635 and spending $2,206 in the period. Jetton is her campaign treasurer. She had $21,184 in the bank.
• Rep. Scott Lipke, R-Jackson, reported raising no money. He is unopposed for a fourth term in the Missouri House from the 157th District.
• Rep. Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, reported raising $29,050 for his unopposed bid for re-election in the 106th District. Tilley, the House majority leader, reported spending $30,867, much of it for consulting and travel, and had $16,248 on hand.
• Rep. Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, reported raising $7,055 for her unopposed bid for re-election in the 160th District. She reported spending $618 and making $25,650 in contributions, including $25,000 to the House Republican Campaign Committee, an organization dedicated to maintaining a GOP majority in the Missouri House. Brandom had $42,579 in the bank.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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