3rd District incumbent maintains fundraising lead

With less than a week before the November general election, incumbent U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, holds a wide lead in fundraising for Missouri's 3rd Congressional District seat.

Federal Election Commission reports filed Oct. 25 show Luetkemeyer out-raised his closest opponent by about $23,000 from Oct. 1-17. In his bid to win a sixth, two-year term, Luetkemeyer is trying to fend off a challenge from Democrat Katy Geppert, of St. Louis, and Libertarian Donald Stolle, of Arnold.

During the 17-day period that began Oct. 1, Luetkemeyer raised $27,175, FEC records showed. Geppert raised $3,713 during that period. Stolle did not report any campaign contributions from Oct. 1-17.

During the 2017-18 election cycle, Luetkemeyer has out-raised Geppert by more than $2 million - $2.26 million to Geppert's $24,174, according to FEC records.

Under FEC rules, political action committees may contribute $5,000 per election to candidate committees. Individuals may contribute up to $2,700 per election to candidate committees.

During the 17-day period tracked by the final federal campaign finance reports before the election, the Amusement & Music Operators Association, an Illinois-based trade group which represents manufacturers of amusement games and jukeboxes, contributed $1,000 to Luetkemeyer's campaign. PACs representing General Motors and Mastercard International employees made contributions to Luetkemeyer's campaign of $3,500 and $1,950 respectfully.

M.D. Michael Ryan of Missouri Vein Care in Jefferson City and Joel Johnson, of Knoxville, Tennessee, were among contributors to Luetkemeyer's campaign who made donations of $2,700.

Geppert reported donations of $170 from the Gasconade County Democratic Club and $250 from the Lincoln County Democrat Club during the period from Oct. 1-17.

Joan Woolsey and Randy Barringhaus, both of St. Peters, Missouri, were the largest contributors to Geppert's campaign during the period and each gave $1,000.

Luetkemeyer's campaign reported operating expenses of $67,441.62 during the period. Geppert's campaign reported operating expenses of $3,560.07.