Crowell paying more to Jetton's firm after challenger emerges

Sen. Jason Crowell increased his payments to House Speaker Rod Jetton's political consulting business in October after Democrat Ellen Dillon announced she would challenge Crowell's bid for a second term.

Crowell, who paid $3,000 a month to Jetton's Common Sense Conservative Consulting LLC during the 2004 campaign, is now paying $4,500 a month for the services. In 2005, 2006 and most of 2007, Crowell paid Jetton, who he has referred to publicly as his best friend, $1,000 a month to help his political effort.

The increased payments were reported in campaign finance reports due today at the Missouri Ethics Commission. Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, reported raising $56,720 during the three months ending Dec. 31. His campaign spent $26,433 during that period and Crowell ended the period with $162,366 available for the 2008 election season.

Neither Crowell nor Jetton immediately returned calls seeking comment.

Jetton picked up at least one more consulting contract from a fellow lawmaker. Sen. Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville, is paying Jetton's firm $1,500 a month. Jetton is also employed by former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's presidential campaign to help in the Missouri presidential primary Feb. 5. Romney is paying Jetton $6,000 a month.

Dillon had not reported fundraising totals by early afternoon.

Other area legislative candidates and incumbents, and their fundraising totals, include:

• Rep. Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, who reported raising $34,700 for her re-election to a second term in the 160th District of the Missouri House. She spent $8,691, including $5,525 in contribution refunds to donors who exceeded the limits on contributions during 2007.
• Rep. Steve Hodges, D-East Prairie, who reported raising $6,175 for his campaign for a second term in the 161st District. Hodges spent $1,920 and had $4,368 on hand. Hodges is asking for a hardship exemption to avoid making contribution refunds.
• Rep. Billy Pat Wright, R-Dexter, reported raising $4,570. Wright is seeking a third term in the 159th District. He spent $7,698, including $3,375 in refunds of excess contributions. Wright had $7,393 on hand.
• Bill Burlison, an Advance Democrat, reported raising $1,195 for his campaign to unseat Wright in the 159th District. Burlison spent $1,482 and reported $4,434 on hand,
• Rep. Scott Lipke, R-Jackson, reported raising $725 for his campaign in the 157th District. Lipke refunded $2,725 to donors who had exceeded the limits and reported $20,518 available for his bid for a fourth term.
• Michael Winder, a Marquand Democrat, reported $7,275 raised in his bid to replace Jetton in the 156th District. Winder refunded $800 and had $1,566 on hand for his campaign.
• House Majority Leader Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, reported receiving $34,040 for his campaign and spending $22,545. Tilley had $22,215 in the bank and made no refunds. He did, however, receive $6,125 from other candidates who were refunding contributions received from Tilley's campaign.

-- Rudi Keller