6th District incumbent outspent, out-raised rival

Bernskoetter
Bernskoetter

A wealth of PAC contributions enabled the incumbent for Missouri's 6th Senate District to flood airwaves with campaign advertising as the Republican primary draws near.

The race for Missouri's 6th Senate District is between Republican incumbent Mike Bernskoetter, a first-term state senator for the district and Jefferson City businessman, and Scott Riedel, a U.S. Army chaplain veteran of 31 years and Lake Ozark resident of five. No other candidates from other parties have filed to run for the seat, meaning the district's next senator will be decided through the Aug. 2 Republican primary.

With voters heading to the polls to cast their vote Tuesday, the most recent campaign finance filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission show Bernskoetter pouring resources into a final advertising push.

Within the first three weeks of July alone, Bernskoetter's campaign spent nearly $120,000 on his re-election bid and raked in more than $46,800. During the same three-week period, Riedel's campaign spent a little more than $1,800 on the race and took in a little more than $3,600.

Bernskoetter's expenses in recent weeks have been concentrated on advertising and campaign supplies. He spent more than $116,800 on media, digital and direct mail advertising, $2,395 on campaigning at county fairs and $614 on supplies.

Bernskoetter's campaign had more than $153,900 cash on hand at the end of the reporting period, which was July 21.

Donors who contributed $1,000 or more in the aggregate to Bernskoetter's campaign this period include: The Madison PAC, $2,400; MO Soybean Association State PAC, $2,400; KC BIZPAC the PAC of Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, $2,400; Conservative Leadership for SO, $2,400; Missouri Chamber PAC, $2,400; RQC PAC, $2,400; Missouri Medical PAC, $2,400; Rural Telecommunications Committee PAC, $2,400; Enterprise Holdings Inc PAC, $2,400; MBA Capitol Region PAC, $2,000; MO Pest Control Association PAC, $2,000; MBA River Heritage Region PAC, $2,000; Missouri Gaming PAC, $2,000; Credit Union PAC, $2,000; Missouri American Water Employees PAC, $2,000; Missouri CPA PAC, $1,750; WGP PAC, $1,500; Missouri Forest Products PAC, $1,500; Ameren Missouri PAC, $1,500; Missouri Beverage PAC, $1,500; Missouri Dental PAC, $1,500; MO Energy Development Association Gateway PAC, $1,200; Bernie Fechtel, $1,000; Pharmacist PAC of Missouri, $1,000; Hallmark Missouri PAC, $1,000; The Rhoad Company, $1,000; Missouri Cattlemen Association PAC, $1,000; and American Family PAC-MO, $1,000.

Contributors to the Bernskoetter campaign who gave in the aggregate of $500-$999 in this cycle were: Missouri Assisted Living PAC, $750; Michael Winter, $500; Missouri Independent Accountants PAC, $500; Cathy Bernskoetter, $500; Kelly Jackson, $500; and Georgeanne Aldy, $500.

Donors who gave $100-$499 to Bernskoetter's campaign in the aggregate in this cycle include: Bill Gamble, $250; John Farrell, $250; Sam Licklider, $250; Terry McCurren, $125; Paul LePage, $100; PWSD Properties LLC, $100; Roger Schwartz, $100; Charles Dudenhoeffer, $100; Chris Graham, $100; Bernie Otke, $100; and Harold Williams, $100.

Recent major expenses for Riedel's campaign include $700 on phonebanking lists from Survey St. Louis, almost $500 on voting scorecard printing and $615 on bumper stickers.

Riedel had more than $1,800 cash on hand at the end of the reporting period July 21.

Contributions in July came from seven sources: Fred Berry, $1,041; Dorthy Berry, 1,000; Gary and Jane Cunningham, $604; The Camden County Republican Club, $500; Dean Arthaud, $104; James Meyer, $104; and Lesa Moesch, $104.

Throughout the entire election season, the incumbent state senator has spent $224,000 on getting re-elected and raised nearly $218,000.

Riedel has spent a total of nearly $27,400 on his campaign and raised a little more than $32,500.

  photo Riedel