Kehoe leads area candidates in regular fundraising

Third-quarter finance reports tell story up to end of September

Cole County circuit judge candidate Brian Stumpe's $100,000 contribution from a national Republican group doesn't show up in the official reports for the third quarter of 2014 because he received it on Oct. 4, four days after the quarter ended.

Before the massive infusion of cash, Stumpe, a Republican, raised $1,625 in the third quarter and spent $2,691.08, plus another $12,976 reported as "expenditures incurred this period (not including loans) including payments made by credit card." He listed $58.47 as cash on hand at the end of September.

Stumpe seeks to unseat incumbent Cole County Presiding Circuit Judge Pat Joyce, a Democrat, who's seeking her third six-year term as a circuit judge. She raised $8,891.07 in the third quarter, and spent $10,723.44. She ended September with a $17,086.33 cash balance.

Incumbent state Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, was the biggest Mid-Missouri fundraiser among candidates filing reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission for the period from July 1 to Sept. 30.

Kehoe's report shows he raised $90,319.65 and spent $14,141.65, plus $30,000 he made in contributions to others.

He started the fourth quarter, and the last five weeks before the Nov. 4 general election, with $271,767.13 cash on hand.

Kehoe, seeking his second four-year term in the Missouri Senate, is being challenged by Molly Freebairn, D- Jefferson City. Her reports had not been posted Wednesday night on the Ethics Commission's website, www.mec.mo.gov.

State Rep. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, raised the second highest amount in the quarter, in her bid to become a state senator representing the open 10th District.

Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, has represented the area for the last two years, because of redistricting, but is leaving the Senate because of term limits.

Riddle raised $73,268.16, and spent $23,856.87. She reported having $299,344.82 on hand at the end of September.

State Rep. Ed Schieffer, D-Troy, also wants the 10th District Senate seat. He raised $15,302.22 during the quarter and spent $15,615.65. He reported having $7,586.85 cash on hand.

Incumbent state Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, has no general election opponent, but still received $14,150. He had no campaign expenditures, although he did donate $1,000 to others. He had $31,150 on hand on Oct. 1.

Likewise, Rep. Caleb Jones, R-California, is unopposed, but raised $12,900 and spent $3,073, plus $1,000 in contributions. He had $91,900.83 at the end of September.

Incumbent Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, has an opponent on Nov. 4 - Michael Eberle of the Constitution Party. Bernskoetter raised $3,900 during the quarter and spent $931.05; he had $33,151.09 on hand on Oct. 1. Eberle reported having $100 cash on hand, with no receipts or expenses for the quarter.

Former state Rep. Gracia Backer, D-New Bloomfield, and Travis Fitzwater, R-Fulton, are running for the open House seat vacated by Riddle. Backer was tabbed to run for the House after the Democrats' original candidate withdrew from the race. She raised $14,507.82, spent $5,913.83 and reported $43,279.65 on hand on Oct. 1. Fitzwater reported raising $14,203.32 and spending $31,644.02 during the quarter. He ended September with $23,351.07 on hand.

In the open 61st House District in Osage, Gasconade and Franklin counties, Democrat Tom Smith, Washington, raised $5,279.50 and spent $401.91 during the quarter. He reported $7,621.68 cash.

Justin Alferman, R-Hermann, raised $6,710 in the quarter and spent $388.90. He ended the quarter with $16,916.49 cash.

The only other Cole County office candidates filing with the Ethics Commission were the county clerk candidates seeking to replace Marvin Register, who's retiring.

Democrat Susan Cook raised $125 and spent $1,937.69. She had $1,932.04 at the end of the quarter.

Republican Steve Korsmeyer raised $4,449.70 and spent $1,950.89. He had $2,596.39 on hand.

State law requires contributions greater than $5,000 to be reported within 48 hours.

Otherwise, the next campaign reports are due Oct. 27 - eight days before the Nov. 4 general election.