Last month's election contest for one seat on the Cole County circuit court attracted national attention - and money.
But, while many Mid-Missourians may have talked about the interest from, and possible influence of a national political group, campaign finance reports due Thursday show incumbent state Sen. Mike Kehoe raised the most money among area politicians in his bid for a second four-year term at the Capitol.
• Cole County Circuit Judge
The Republican State Leadership Committee spent $304,550 on Missouri's elections this year - with the bulk of that money targeted toward the Cole County circuit judge's race between Democratic incumbent Pat Joyce and Republican challenger Brian Stumpe.
The Washington, D.C.-based group gave a final $3,300 on Election Day, Nov. 4, to its Missouri Political Action Committee, according to Thursday's 30-days-after the election report to the Missouri Ethics Commission.
The RSLC-Missouri PAC made $110,000 in direct contributions - $100,000 to the Stumpe campaign on Oct. 3 and $10,000 on Oct. 23 to the Friends of House Speaker-designate John Diehl, R-Town and Country.
The PAC reported only $84.75 cash on-hand.
Most of the $194,550 balance was earmarked for advertising against Joyce by the RSLC PAC.
Joyce reported receiving a total of $144,437.70 for the 2014 election, and spending a total of $117,328.29.
Her largest contribution during the period was $11,650, from the Missouri Democratic State Committee.
She reported $19,800.35 cash on-hand Thursday.
Stumpe had not filed a 30-days-after report by Thursday night.
• 6th District State Senate
Incumbent Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, reported receiving $871,989.63.
His largest contribution during the most recent reporting period was $12,500, paid on Nov. 4 by the Ameren Missouri Political Action Committee.
Kehoe's campaign finance report filed this week also showed him spending $487,530.52 - and contributing another $283,762.72 to other candidates or organizations.
He reported having $91,416.75 cash on-hand Thursday.
Kehoe's re-election bid was challenged by Democrat Mollie Freebairn, Jefferson City, who terminated her campaign committee on Nov. 14.
She reported raising a total of $3,190.98, spending $2,998.77 and ending with no cash on-hand.
•10th District State Senate
State Rep. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, won the race for the state Senate's 10th District, which includes Callaway and five other northeastern Missouri counties.
She reported raising a total of $465,467.11 and spending $427,302.90.
Her largest contribution in the last five weeks was $5,000 from the CNS Corp., Kansas City.
Riddle had $66,185.82 cash on-hand.
She beat Rep. Ed Schieffer, D-Troy, for the Senate seat.
He reported raising $145,779.14, spending $142,871.64 and ending the campaign with no cash.
• 49th District State House
Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, will succeed Riddle in the House.
He reported raising $164,319.41, spending $91,959.08 and contributing $27,600 to other candidates or groups.
He reported having $2,538.10 cash on-hand Thursday.
Fitzwater beat former Rep. Gracia Backer, D-New Bloomfield.
She raised $88,450.64, spent $85,140.20 and reported $1,260.79 on-hand this week.
• 59th District State House
Incumbent Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, raised $58,900.58 in winning his third two-year term.
He spent $20,417.50 and contributed another $27,553.59 to other candidates or groups.
Bernskoetter reported having $51,729.67 on-hand.
Challenger Michael Eberle of the Constitution Party terminated his committee last month. His final report wasn't available online Thursday night, but he previously reported raising only $100 for the whole campaign - and not spending it.
• 60th District State House
Incumbent Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, had no primary or general election opponent this year.
Still, he reported raising $84,150, spending $19,585.20 and contributing another $33,451.
Barnes reported having $46,461.99 on-hand this week.
• Cole County Prosecuting Attorney
Incumbent Mark Richardson, R-Jefferson City, won a third four-year term last month.
He raised a total of $22,216.21 and spent $21,588.77. He also paid off a $1,105.82 debt and reported $627.44 cash on-hand.
Challenger Anji Gandhi ran as an Independent candidate. Her 30-days-after the election report wasn't available Thursday from the county clerk's office.