Candidates for Perry County offices running campaigns on a shoestring

In the four-way race for the Perry County presiding commissioner seat, only one candidate has gathered a significant amount of donations for her campaign.

Presiding Commissioner Thomas H. Sutterer not running for re-election and no Democrats or third party candidates filing for the position, the Aug. 8 primary election will decide who fills the vacated seat.

Reports detailing campaign fund-raising and spending were due Monday afternoon from the candidates: Kim R. Moore, Harley J. Geile, Patrick A. Naeger and Carl Leuckel.

In Moore's disclosure, the candidate has received $6,649.79 for her campaign, the majority of which came from her own pocket. Stan and Pat Petzoldt of Frohna, Mo., donated $300 to Moore's campaign, and she also received $698 in total contributions of less than $100 each.

Naeger filed a statement of limited activity, meaning he did not receive more than $500 in total donations and he would not spend more than $500 for his campaign.

Neither Geile nor Leuckel filed anything with the clerk's office.

According to Perry County Clerk Randy Taylor, Geile did not organize an election committee and would not have to file a report. Leuckel indicated that he would not spend more than $500, but he failed to file a statement of limited activity, Taylor said.

In the only other contested race in Perry County, also to be decided in the primary election, incumbent recorder of deeds Susan M. Oster's contributions and loans received were double those of her challenger, Jackie C. Wengert.

In Oster's campaign, she gathered a total of $4,787.15, all out of pocket. Wengert received $2,085 in donations.

Major contributors to Wengert's campaign included $100 donations from Jeall Smith, of Bonne Terre, Mo.; Joan McKinney, of Springfield, Mo.; and James Wengert, of St. Mary, Mo.

A $50 contribution to the campaign was also made, with the remaining $1,735 coming from Jackie Wengert herself.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127