Sinquefield has given to local candidates as well

While none match the historic donation made to a candidate considering a run for lieutenant governor, prominent political donor Rex Sinquefield has given political gifts to a few local candidates in recent elections.

Sinquefield's $1 million donation Monday to the exploratory committee of Bev Randles -- made the same day the committee was launched -- is thought to be the largest single donation to a single candidate in the state's history. Randles is the wife of Bill Randles, who made an unsuccessful bid for Missouri governor in 2012, and the two are lawyers in private practice in Kansas City, Missouri. Bev Randles hails from Sikeston, Missouri.

If Randles decides to run, she would face incumbent and Cape Girardeau native Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder in the 2016 election.

For the past two years, Randles also has served as chairwoman of the Missouri Club for Growth, which has received millions in donations from Sinquefield, and the Missouri Club for Growth Political Action Committee.

Missouri Club for Growth and Grow Missouri, a political advocacy group backed by Sinquefield, have made a few contributions to local candidates over the years, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Rex Sinquefield

The candidate committees for state representatives Donna Lichtenegger, R-Jackson, and Kathy Swan, R-Cape Girardeau, each received $2,500 from Grow Missouri this year. State Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, received $4,800 from the group.

Missouri Club for Growth and Grow Missouri each donated $2,500 to State Rep. Shelley Keeney, R-Marble Hill, this year. State Rep Holly Rehder, a Sikeston, Missouri Republican, also received contributions from both groups. She received a total of $13,000 this year, with most of the funds coming from Missouri Club for Growth.

Sinquefield was identified as one of the top campaign contributors in Rep. Jason Smith's November 2012 bid for re-election to the Missouri House of Representatives. Filings with the Federal Election Commission show Sinquefield and wife Jeanne each made contributions of their own to Smith in June 2013 and July this year.

Their donations come in at more than $15,000. Grow Missouri PAC also donated $2,500 to Smith's campaign in 2013.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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