Commission candidate upset over finance report filing error in county clerk's office

An error at the Cape Girardeau county clerk's office had District 1 commission candidate Bill Hahs seeing red Tuesday.

Hahs was upset because when the Southeast Missourian asked for copies of the campaign finance reports filed by the 13 candidates in District 1, his was not included. Hahs had turned his report, which shows he raised $465 for his campaign during the first three weeks of July, on Friday, ahead of the Monday deadline.

County Clerk Kara Clark said the mistake occurred when the report was laid on a desk and not put into the file with other candidate paperwork from Hahs. "I didn't know it happened," said Clark, who was training election judges for most of the day Monday when the mistake was made.

Hahs said he was upset because voters might equate a late report with sloppiness about commission work if he were elected. "This gives you a black eye," Hahs said. "People pay attention to that."

Overall, Hahs has raised $7,364 for his campaign, spent $6,282 and had $662 on hand as of July 24. The figures include in-kind contributions not included in the cash accounting.

Hahs faces nine opponents in Tuesday's Republican primary. Former county auditor Weldon Macke brought in his report Tuesday showing he raised $450 during the period, bringing his funding total to $4,235. Macke had $324 in the bank.

Republican candidates who had not filed their reports by close of business Tuesday include Stephen Daume, a Daisy cattle breeder, Jeff Hahs, an Oak Ridge contractor, and Kenneth Waldron, a Jackson businessman. Daume said his treasurer is working on a barge and he would file as soon as possible. Clark said she is not imposing late fees.

Also on Tuesday, Jackson Alderman Joe Bob Baker reported a $325 contribution from Rep. Scott Lipke's re-election campaign.

The other GOP candidates are Tom Allen, former Delta School District superintendent; Paul Koeper, vice president of Penzel Construction; Rick Shultz, an independent lighting salesman; and Rick Aufdenberg, a Tilsit farmer.

Democratic candidates for the post are Marvin McMillan, a truck driver for Ready Mix Concrete, Pat Wissman, a former semi owner-operator, and Myra Morris. Morris has not turned in a campaign finance report.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126