Dear Editor:
Your Oct. 8 editorial although understated points out what Cole County voters have come to expect from elections. You suggest that Brian Stumpe's receipt of $100,000 by a Washington, D.C. organization has "an unpleasant aroma." It would be better expressed by a hit song from the 1970s "dead skunk in the middle of the road stinkin' to high heaven."
Anyone that has no substance must resort to spending a lot of money to attempt to win. Voters should not be misled. First, the candidate missed a public forum. An excuse that no one else could verify prevented him from a public comparison with his opponent.
Stumpe knows who gave him $100,000 but will not tell. He is similar to my opponent in the 2012 election for Eastern District Commissioner who received $20,000 from the Missouri Republican party. I was mystified why so much money was given by a state party for a local race. The reason became apparent this year.
The spokesman for Cole County zoning is also assistant treasurer of the MRP. He said that he had been working on zoning for five years which would be before the 2012 vote. The assistant treasurer would be in an excellent position to route a contribution to a candidate and a dependable vote for zoning. The special interest for zoning would certainly not want an independent voice on the commission. Anyone expecting to benefit from Cole County zoning would not want to be obvious about contributing a large amount of money. A contribution to the MRP could be passed on to a reliable vote for zoning and hidden from the public. Someone expects to benefit if Stumpe is elected, but does not want his name known.
Hiding a contribution is illegal and as you say emits a very poor atmosphere. Voters should carefully consider your words "We believe circuit judge elections should be decided not on the basis of political parties or campaign contributions but on which candidate is most knowledgeable, deliberate and fair in dispensing justice." Circuit judge is a very important position and even sentences people to the death penalty. All voters should consider the experience and ethics of both candidates when voting.