Knudtson draws more money in mayor's race

Eight days before the April 2 Cape Girardeau mayoral election, Jay Knudtson had more money left over from his campaign contributions than his opponent, Melvin Gateley, received altogether.

According to financial disclosure reports made available by the Cape Girardeau County clerk's office, Knudtson, who spent more than three times more money than Gateley, received $29,535 in contributions for his campaign. He spent $24,656.05, meaning he has over $4,500 in hand.

Gateley, meanwhile, has had to dip into his own pocket. His receipts total $9,330, and he has spent $7,129.31. He loaned himself $6,075, meaning he raised only $3,255 for his campaign.

"I don't know if it says anything other than we plan our activities and seek to have it financed," Gateley said. "If it has to be from a loan, we make that decision. We have a good message out there. When you have more, you can do more activities, but we're getting along just fine."

The difference in contributions can be traced to the number of people or companies who donated. Seventy-four people or companies made donations of $100 or more to Knudtson.

Gateley received only six donations of $100 or more.

"With there being these campaign spending limits out there -- which I'm a big, big proponent of -- it's impossible to go out there and draw from any one source of money," Knudtson said. "We raised nearly $30,000, and that is made up of contributions from about 300 people. There's no one entity. The phenomenal response I've gotten from people I know who are on a limited income is what allows me to call this the most humbling experience that I've ever gone through."

Change in price index

State law prohibits any individual or corporation giving more than $300 to a candidate running for an office which serves less than 100,000 people. However, no one gave more than $275 to either mayoral candidate because their respective committees were not aware of a consumer price index change in January that moved the limit up to $300.

If every person who donated $275 to Knudtson would've given the $300 which is allowed, that would have added $1,050 to his campaign. Gateley had only two people donate $275.

The two candidates spent their money on many of the same things -- fliers, stamps, advertising and signs -- but Knudtson could afford to buy more.

And both candidates sent out letters requesting donations.

Knudtson also had a successful fund raiser that more than 300 people attended.

Candidates were required to submit reports Monday. They will have to submit reports again 30 days after the election.

Cape Girardeau residents will also elect new city council members at the April 2 election. Evelyn Boardman is running against incumbent Frank Stoffregen in Ward 1. Marcia Ritter and Walter Wildman are running for the Ward 6 seat, and Charles Herbst is running unopposed in Ward 2.

bmiller@semissourian.com

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