Congressional candidates, state reps report fundraising

The latest fundraising reports for 2014 state and federal-level elections were released Tuesday.

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R-Salem) reported raising more than $250,000 in the third quarter of this year and having nearly $160,000 on hand as of Sept. 30. Smith won a June special election to replace Jo Ann Emerson, who resigned in January.

Of the $254,000 raised by Smith since July 1, political committees contributed $133,230. Individuals contributed $119,970.

The highest individual contributions to Smith, in the amount of $2,600 each, came from former Missouri senator John Danforth, his wife Sally Danforth and Craig Schnuck, chairman and former CEO of Schnucks, a large supermarket chain.

Political action committees that gave Smith the maximum allowable amount included those of Anheuser-Busch, Cerner Corp., Continuing A Majority Party, Every Republican Is Crucial, Express Scripts, Majority Committee, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Rely On Your Beliefs Fund and The Freedom Project, according to the report Smith's campaign committee filed with the FEC.

Smith on Tuesday also reported zero debt from the June election.

Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, a potential challenger to Smith in next year's August primary election,

reported raising $57,000 in his lieutenant governor's campaign committee, according to The Associated Press. Kinder recently announced the formation of an exploratory committee to look at a congressional run. He would have to start from scratch with a new federal campaign committee if he runs for the U.S. House.

In upcoming state-level races for the Missouri House of Representatives, incumbent Republican officeholders in Southeast Missouri reported smaller, but significant, amounts raised between July and October.

Farmington's Kevin Engler, who represents the 116th House District, reported the highest amount of money raised, with $37,766 in contributions and ended the period with $31,458 on hand.

148th District Rep. Holly Rehder of Sikeston reported $37,139 raised and $32,803 on hand.

Cape Girardeau's Kathy Swan, who represents the 147th House District, reported the $25,224 in contributions and $24,329 on hand.

State Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, of Jackson's 146th District, reported $3,100 raised and $5,710 on hand.

In the 145th House District that includes Marble Hill, state Rep. Shelley Keeney reported $2,200 in contributions and $4,636 on hand.

In the 150th District that covers parts of the Bootheel, state Rep. Kent Hampton reported one $2,500 contribution and $4,063 on hand.

State Rep. Dennis Fowler of Advance reported $911 raised and $1,189 on hand.

In the only contested race so far, in the 149th House District that covers Pemiscot County and parts of Mississippi and Scott counties, Democratic candidate Bill Burlison reported a self-financed loan of $20,000 to his campaign. He reported $19,417 on hand at the close of the period. Neal E. Boyd, a Republican from Sikeston, has declared himself a candidate but hadn't filed a fundraising report by the end of business Tuesday.

eragan@semissourian.com

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