Funding disparity in GOP primary for 154th District

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Robbie Myers had nearly more $10,000 in campaign cash on hand at the end of June than Gayle Kingery, his opponent in the Republican primary for the 154th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Myers, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., raised $5,505 from April 1 through June 30, the period covered by campaign finance disclosure reports due last week with the Missouri Ethics Commission. He spent $3,040.56 and reported $11,920.44 in the bank.

Half of the 14 itemized donations to Myers were for the $300 maximum for a House race.

Kingery, of Poplar Bluff, had just $1,996 remaining in his campaign coffers. He raised $2,025 and spent $539 during the second quarter of 2002. Two of his four donations were for the limit.

The winner of the Aug. 6 GOP primary will face Democrat Bill Stanberry and Libertarian Chip Taylor, both of Poplar Bluff, in November.

Neither Stanley nor Taylor is opposed in their respective primaries.

Taylor raised $675, including two maximum donations, while spending $1,010.66 to leave him with $2,265.83.

Stanberry collected $340 in small contributions, spent $4,074.27 and had $1,278.39 in the bank.

The 154th District represents most of Butler County. Incumbent state Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, is not running because he is term limited.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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