Bernskoetter tops campaign fund-raising efforts

In this Jan. 13, 2016 file photo, State Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City is seen on the floor of the Missouri House chamber.
In this Jan. 13, 2016 file photo, State Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City is seen on the floor of the Missouri House chamber.

State Rep. Mike Bernskoetter raised nearly $74,000 this summer in his bid to be the next state senator from Mid-Missouri's 6th District.

His contributions topped the list of receipts by announced candidates for Mid-Missouri legislative races on next year's election ballot.

Filing for those races doesn't begin until Feb. 27, but 13 people already have announced their intentions to run for legislative seats.

Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, currently represents House District 59, but can't run for re-election because of term limits.

Instead, he's running to succeed state Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, who also is term-limited.

The 6th Senate District includes Cole, Moniteau, Miller, Morgan, Maries, Osage and Gasconade counties.

Bernskoetter ended the July-Sept. 30 period with $142,683.78 cash on-hand, after raising $73,896 since July 1, and spending $13,292.31 - mostly on campaign T-Shirts and other materials, advertising, and candy for several parades.

Since April 1, Bernskoetter's campaign finance reports show he has received 210 contributions from a combination of individuals, lobbyists and political action committees.

The four largest donations were $2,600 each.

State Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, also is term-limited and had been expected to seek Kehoe's seat until he announced earlier this month he's not running for another legislative job.

Before that announcement, Barnes had raised $1,000 toward a Senate campaign from two PACs.

He said Friday he had not decided what to do with the money.

"There will likely be some donations to local charities," Barnes said, noting the decision won't be made for a while.

Democrat Nicole Thompson, Jefferson City, filed a notice of "committee organization" with the state Ethics Commission on Oct. 20, saying she also is running for the 6th District Senate seat.

But she reported no fundraising or spending in the July-September period.

So far, state Sen. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, has no announced opposition in her bid for a second four-year term in the six-county 10th District, which includes Callaway, Audrain and Montgomery counties in Mid-Missouri.

Riddle raised $9,900 in contributions in the most recent quarter, ending with $113,744.32 cash on-hand.

Two races already are set for Mid-Missouri House districts.

Three Republicans have announced plans to succeed Barnes - Jane Beetem, Pat Rowe Kerr and Dave Griffith.

The 60th House District seat covers most of Jefferson City, with some parts of eastern Jefferson City in the 59th District currently represented by Bernskoetter.

Only Kerr reported raising or spending money for the July-September period. Her campaign finance reports show she received $6,510 and spent $1,161.75.

The other contest pits Sara Walsh, R-Ashland, against Michela Skelton, D-Ashland, in the 50th House District covering northern Moniteau and southern Boone counties, as well as northwestern Cole County and a part of Cooper County. It includes California, Hartsburg, Ashland and parts of southern and southeastern Columbia.

Walsh won a special election for the seat in August, beating Skelton by 298 votes.

She's raised $4,085, and spent $630, since the special election - and reported having $3,462.19 cash on-hand.

Skelton's report showed $3,086.36 in contributions since the special election - and $9,263.50 cash on-hand.

Skelton reported spending only $7 so far, for an online fee.

So far, only Jefferson City lawyer Rudy Veit has announced plans to seek Bernskoetter's seat.

He's a Republican, and raised $2,025 in the July-September period. Veit reported spending $3,743.75 - and has $9,362.20 cash on-hand.

Several incumbent Republican House members also filed campaign finance reports and, so far, have no announced opposition in their re-election bids.

Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, whose district covers southern Callaway County and a portion of Cole County just northwest of Jefferson City, reported raising $8,350, and spending $4,443.88 during the third quarter. He has $20,733.18 cash on-hand.

David Wood, R-Versailles, whose district includes parts of southwestern Cole, southern Moniteau and Morgan counties, raised $1,900 in the July-September period, spent $3,997.89 and had $6,153.61 cash on-hand.

Rocky Miller, R-Lake Ozark, reported $14,800 in receipts, $1,903.16 in expenses, and $23,585.78 cash on-hand.

Tom Hurst, R-Meta, reported raising $625, spending none and having $684.64 cash on-hand.

Justin Alferman, R-Hermann, showed $9,600 income, $1,418.31 spent and $26,186.41 cash on-hand.