Some of Matt Blunt's Democratic appointees donating to Republicans

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- At least seven people appointed as Democrats this year by the governor to various boards and commissions have contributed to Gov. Matt Blunt or other Republicans -- in some cases, shortly after winning their appointments.

Many appointees say they personally know the governor or his father, U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, and felt he was doing a good job. Others say they don't vote straight Democratic tickets and believe there are good people in both major political parties.

Some boards and commissions in Missouri are required to have a balance between Republicans and Democrats. The Associated Press reviewed the campaign finance reports of a few dozen of those appointed under Democratic labels by the Republican governor.

John Carnahan, of Springfield, was appointed to the University of Missouri Board of Curators in February. He gave Blunt $1,175 in 2003 and another $1,200 in May. Carnahan said he generally supports Democrats but has known Roy Blunt for decades and thought the new governor has done some good things since taking office.

"His father's always been nice to me, and if I can help his son, I'm glad to," said Carnahan, a second cousin of the late Democratic governor Mel Carnahan.

The state Democratic Party questions whether such donors are truly Democrats.

"This is simply a way of the Blunt administration gaming the system," said party spokesman Jack Cardetti.

Duane Schreimann, a former mayor of Jefferson City, said he regularly gets requests to donate to both Democrats and Republicans and has given money to both in the past.

He was appointed to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education in May and practices law at the same firm as Andrew Blunt, the governor's younger brother.

"When you're the partner of the governor's brother, generally when requested to make a contribution I would do it," he said. "Plus I've known Matt a long time. I've always considered myself certainly to be a Democrat. I support generally Democratic candidates, but I'm not one of those people who believes you can only support one party."

Blunt spokesman Spence Jackson said many people in Missouri may consider themselves members of one party but donate to both. He said political contributions are not a "major factor" in determining whether someone should be appointed to a board but are reviewed occasionally.

"There are a lot of things that come into play when considering who to appoint to a certain board or commission," he said.

Mary Sheid, of West Plains, is a member of the Missouri State University Board of Governors, serving under Democratic Gov. Bob Holden and now under Blunt. The state manual listed her as a Republican member before, but now she is serving as a Democrat.

Sheid, however, said she has always served as a Democrat, though she also donates to Republicans.

"Most of us from Missouri are a little more fiscally conservative, but we're socially conscious because it is small and it's rural," she said. "(While) I consider myself a voting Democrat, I have probably never voted a straight ticket."

Stephen Bradford, of Cape Girardeau, serves as a Democrat on the Conservation Commission and was appointed along with a Republican in late January as co-chairman of the Government Review Commission.

Bradford and his health care companies gave $7,200 to Democrats in 2001-2003 and $2,500 to Republicans in 2002. This year, starting in March, Bradford and his companies gave $10,200 to Blunt and other Republicans.

Bradford did not return a call seeking comment.

Sikeston resident Troy Wilson, president of Montgomery Bank, was appointed to the Missouri Development Finance Board in June and gave $1,200 to Blunt -- the maximum an individual can donate -- a few days later. He also gave to Republicans in 2003 and 2004. Wilson's office said he was out of town all week, and he did not return a call seeking comment.