Senate leader to announce political plans next month

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder said Tuesday he will decide by the end of August whether he will run for statewide office in 2004.

Kinder, a Cape Girardeau Republican, is considering running for lieutenant governor or attorney general. Both offices are held by Democrats who are seeking re-election.

Term limits preclude Kinder from seeking re-election to the Senate seat he first won in 1992.

Kinder formed an exploratory campaign committee to raise money for a potential statewide run, but he hasn't been particularly active on the fund-raising front.

According to the campaign finance disclosure report Kinder submitted to the Missouri Ethics Commission on Tuesday, the committee had just over $11,000 in the bank as of June 30.

During the three-month reporting period, donors gave Kinder $16,550 in cash and provided $5,180 worth of in-kind contributions. The campaign spent $5,546.

The bulk of the donations came from businesses and interest groups.

Because of a monthlong special legislative session on the state budget during June, Kinder said he had little time for raising money.

"I haven't been able to turn my attention to it, but that's about to change," Kinder said.

Both incumbents Kinder is considering taking on had substantial monetary leads.

Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell, who is seeking a second term, had more than $206,000 on hand at the close of the reporting period. Attorney General Jay Nixon, who is pursuing a fourth term, reported having almost $177,000 in the bank.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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