Some Democrats lagging behind in campaign funds

Two Democrats challenging Republican incumbents for Missouri House seats in Southeast Missouri lag far behind their opponents in money available for the contests.

Neither candidate, however, reports being discouraged by the mismatched bank accounts. Instead, they contend they will are having no trouble raising money and said the actions of the GOP-controlled legislature have upset voters.

Democrat Michael Winder of Marquand reported raising $4,303 between April 1 and June 30, $28 more than House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill. But Jetton had $22,260 in the bank on June 30 compared to just $819 left in Winder's fund.

And Boyce Wooley of Dexter, a Democrat running in a rematch of the 2004 race for the 159th District Missouri House seat, raised $4,865 during the reporting period. The incumbent, state Rep. Billy Pat Wright, R-Dexter, raised $5,800 during the same period.

And Wright reported a cash balance of $14,241, compared to just $1,627 in Wooley's account.

Defeating a Missouri House speaker can be extremely difficult, but Winder said Jetton's high profile makes him a good target. "I truly believe he is beatable and people are ready for a change," Winder said.

Cuts in Medicaid have hit hard in the 156th District, Winder said. He's especially critical of cuts that forced 3,000 mentally and physically handicapped people statewide to leave jobs in sheltered workshops because their earnings made them ineligible.

"They cut the wrong people," Winder said.

The 156th District includes Bollinger, Wayne and Madison counties. Jetton won his 2004 race by a 2-1 margin, but won only narrowly in Madison County while piling up 3-1 majorities elsewhere.

Jetton this week announced formation of an interim committee to look at the issue of handicapped workers and Medicaid.

Jetton did not return calls seeking comment.

In the 158th District, which includes Stoddard County and southwest Cape Girardeau County, former Dexter High School football coach Wooley also said Medicaid is a top issue.

Wooley also said Gov. Matt Blunt's attempt to sell the assets of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority to pay for campus buildings didn't make sense to voters he's meeting.

"That would have left a lot of college kids in a bind, taking out college loans from private lenders at 8, 9 or 10 percent," he said.

Wooley won the vote in Stoddard County in 2004, losing the race among Cape Girardeau County voters. He said he's working to make a stronger showing in Cape Girardeau County and is confident that voters are ready to listen.

"I am not trying to sling mud, but people are disappointed with Mr. Wright and that he has voted with the governor every time," Wooley said. "We need a little more independent thinking."

Wright could not be reached for comment.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126

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Major contributors to the 159th District MIssouri House race:

• BOYCE WOOLEY, Democrat:

Cape Girardeau County Democratic Central Committee, Jackson, $325; United Transportation Union PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Daren Todd, Kennett, Mo., $300; Jasper Edmundson, Poplar Bluff, Mo., $100; Albert Lowes, Cape Girardeau, $100; Dennis Wilson, Dexter, Mo., $325; Buck Hunter, New Madrid, Mo., $325; James Tweedy, Bloomfield, Mo., $250; Carol Forister, Bloomfield, Mo., $100.

* BILLY PAT WRIGHT, Republican:

Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthesists, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Parson for State Representative, Bolivar, Mo., $200; Robert Holland, Doniphan, Mo., $325; Faye Goerling, Park Ridge, Ill., $325; 16th Legislative District Republican Committee, St. Charles, Mo., $1,500; D. Reynolds Construction LLC, Bloomfield, Mo., $100; John Bardgett & Associates Inc., Chesterfield, Mo., $325; Ray Rowland, Dexter, Mo., $300; Doyle Holifield, Dexter, Mo., $200; 157th Legislative District Committee, Cape Girardeau, $325; Edison Schools Inc., New York, N.Y., $100; National Electrical Contractors Association, St. Louis, $350; 106th District Legislative Republican Committee, Farmington, Mo., $325; Republican 18th Legislative District, St. Charles, Mo., $325; 158th Republican Legislative District Committee, $500; Bootheel Leadership, Dexter, Mo., $325.

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Major contributors to the 156th District MIssouri House race:

• MICHAEL WINDER, Democrat:

Madison County Democratic Club, Fredericktown, Mo., $325; Mineral Area Labor Legislative Club, $300; Phil Page, Fredericktown, Mo., $300; Carl Kinsky, French Village, Mo., $250; Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local 1, Bridgeton, Mo., $200; Electrical Workers Voluntary Political Education and Legislative Funds, St. Louis, Mo., $200; Fox Electrical Contractors, Fredericktown, Mo., $100; JA Hathman, St. Louis, $100; Central Trades, Cape Girardeau, $325; Southeast Building Trades, $300.

* ROD JETTON, Republican:

Microsoft Corporation PAC, Redmond, Wash., $250; Missouri Asphalt Paving Association, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Kansas City Power and Light PAC, Kansas City, Mo., $300; Missouri Bankers Association Capital Region PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Missouri Bankers Association Gateway Region PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Missouri Bankers Association Ozark Region PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Missouri Bankers Association Pony Express Region PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Missouri Bankers Association Truman Region PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; AGC of St. Louis PAC, St. Louis, $300; Jerry Huskey, Jackson, $100; William Kapp, Cape Girardeau, $325; Brent Wills, Jackson, $100.