Black carries hefty warchest into closing days of campaign

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- If money makes a difference in the closing days of an election campaign, Republican state Rep. Lanie Black had a six-fold advantage over Democrat Wayne Petitt in the 161st District House race as of last week.

According to the final campaign finance disclosure reports to be filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission before the Tuesday's election, Black, of Charleston, had $27,751 in campaign cash on hand at the close of the last reporting period, which covered Oct. 1 through Oct. 24. Petitt, of Scott City, reported $4,600 in the bank.

During the course of the election, Black had spent $22,825, more than three times the $7,244 spent by Petitt.

In the last reporting period, Black raised $5,119, all of it coming from individuals and businesses. Petitt collected $1,400, all but $100 of which was donated by labor unions or the Democratic Party.

The bulk of the contributions to both candidates in that period came from donors outside of the 161st District, which includes Mississippi County and parts of Scott, New Madrid and Stoddard counties.

Black spent $15,406 in the first three-plus weeks of October, mostly on signs and advertising. He also contributed $500 to Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jim Talent and $300 to Scott Lipke of Jackson, the GOP hopeful for the 157th District state House seat.

Petitt spent $3,538 in the same period, predominantly on advertising.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608

WHO GAVE WHAT TO WHOM

Itemized contributions to candidates for state representative in the 106th District for the reporting period of Oct. 1 through Oct. 24. Listed are donor, city of residence and amount:STATE REP. LANIE BLACK,

R-CHARLESTON

Robert Jackson Farms, Charleston, $16; Merck Co. Inc., West Point, Pa., $300; Marsha Haskell, Cape Girardeau, $55; David Herbst, Chaffee, $200; Nancy Kirkpatrick, Charleston, $250; Lawrence Rost, New Madrid, $268; Don Bedell, Sikeston, $250; Ron Gillett, St. Louis, $200; Community Care Centers, Ballwin, $150; East Prairie Nursing Center, East Prairie, $300; Riley Fitzgerald, Wyatt, $300; Melanie Musick Foley, St. Louis, $145.WAYNE PETITT, D-SCOTT CITY

Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 36, $300; Missouri AFL-CIO, Jefferson City, $100; Laborers Local 42, St. Louis, $150; Missouri State UAW, Hazelwood, $300; Heavy Constructors Association PAC, Kansas City, $150; Stoddard County Democratic Women's Club, Dexter, $250; Betty Hearnes, Charleston, $100.