Republicans hold fundraising lead in most contested Southeast Missouri races

Republicans had the upper hand in fundraising for most contested Southeast Missouri legislative races and in contested races for county offices in Cape Girardeau County, according to disclosure reports released Wednesday.

The reports cover the period that ended Sept. 30. The last full disclosure reports before the Nov. 4 elections will be due Oct. 27; interim reports detailing large contributions will be due as those contributions come in to the campaigns.

In one of the most-watched races in Cape Girardeau County, insurance consultant and broker Rock Finch reported outraising Republican incumbent Jay Purcell in the contest for the District 2 seat on the county commission.

Finch, in a report that was faxed after hours to the Cape Girardeau County clerk's office and the Southeast Missourian, revealed that he had brought in $14,496 for his campaign. Purcell, who is seeking his second term on the commission, reported raising $9,272 in cash and in-kind contributions and lending his own campaign $2,200 through Sept. 30.

Finch reported spending $8,122 and a bank balance of $6,152. Purcell reported expenses of $7,209, including $825 of bills that are unpaid, with a bank balance of $3,287.

In the area legislative contests, Michael Winder, a Democrat making his second bid for the 156th District Missouri House seat currently held by House Speaker Rod Jetton, reported raising more than his Republican rival.

Winder, a Marquand, Mo., ironworker, raised $16,556 during September, bringing his total for the election to $42,367. Winder reported $6,831 on hand as of Sept. 30.

Shelley Keeney of Marble Hill, a legislative aide to Jetton, while taking in less than Winder in September, has raised more than her Democratic rival throughout the campaign and had far more in the bank for the last month of the election. Keeney took in $11,809 during September, bringing her total to $50,704. She had $33,941 available Sept. 30.

The other Republican who did not outpace his rival in fundraising was Rep. Scott Lipke, R-Jackson, who took in no contributions during September. Lipke, who reported having $15,719 on hand, reported spending only $253 during the month to defend his 157th District seat against Jennifer Friedrich of St. Mary, the nominee of Constitution Party. Friedrich has not reported raising any money.

The Republican raising the smallest amount during the period is Clint Tracy of Cape Girardeau, who won a hotly contested three-way primary in the 158th District. Tracy, who faces only Libertarian Robert Roland of Cape Girardeau in the Nov. 4 election, reported raising $3,750 in September and repaying a $5,000 loan he made to his campaign during the primary season. Tracy reported $1,487 on hand.

In the 159th District race, which pits former U.S. representative Bill Burlison, a Democrat, against two-term incumbent Rep. Billy Pat Wright of Dexter on the Republican side, both candidates reported adding more than $20,000 to their campaign treasuries. But Burlison provided the bulk of his new funds, lending his campaign $19,000 and bringing his total personal loans to the campaign to $34,100. Burlison reported raising $2,090 from contributors.

Wright, meanwhile, took in $26,265 in contributions during the month and raised his total for the race to $82,679. Burlison had $7,181 available Oct. 1 for the push to election day, while Wright reported a bank balance of $50,288.

In the other area legislative contest, Republican incumbent state Sen. Jason Crowell reported taking in $34,120 from contributors during the period. After accounting for $21,068 in campaign spending and $2,325 in donations to other Republicans, Crowell had $95,626 on hand. Crowell's opponent, Democratic nominee Linda Sanders of Jackson, reported raising $5,130 in a report that covered the period from July 1 to Sept. 30. She had $3,782 left after expenses.

Fundraising in the other contested Cape Girardeau County Commission seat was subdued during September. Paul Koeper, the Republican nominee in District 1, reported raising $1,350 in cash and in-kind contributions. He spent $1,188 during the month and had $995 on hand. Democratic nominee Marvin McMillan took in $1,430 in September. After expenses of $1,946 in the month McMillan had $2,979 on hand.

The only other contested county race is for treasurer. Incumbent Republican Roger Hudson took in $7,015 during September, raising his total for the year to $11,915. After expenses of $2,792 during the month, Hudson had $6,381 on hand for the final push. His rival, Democratic nominee Deborah McBride Young, raised $703 during September, bringing her total for the race to $1,493. She had $150 on hand Sept. 30.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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