Campaign finance figures reveal some surprises

Campaign financial reports are in, mostly, for the second quarter of 2006. And figures for various candidates reveal some surprises.

For one thing, some of the candidates attracting the big money are not necessarily from the party that supposedly caters to big money interests. For another, some declared candidates have filed only exemptions for filing financial reports while others have not filed reports at all.

In the race for United States Senate, incumbent Republican Jim Talent of St. Louis has outraised Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill, also of St. Louis, for at least the filing period ending March 31 -- but only by $5,045.26. Reports filed with, and available for viewing at the website of, the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) for the period Jan. 1 - March 31 shows Talent raised $1,222,029.69, to McCaskill's $1,216,984.43.

Total money on hand for the two campaigns show Talent with a much more substantial lead, $5,674,707.42 to $2,038,692.67.

Figures for the second quarter of 2006 for the two campaigns had not yet been posted on the FEC website as of press time. In addition, none of the other six candidates listed at the Missouri Secretary of State's website as having filed for the Senate seat, four other Republicans, another Democrat and a Libertarian, had filed any financial disclosure reports with the FEC.

In the 8th Congressional District, figures are available for the second quarter of 2006. They show that of three Democrats, one Libertarian and one Republican shown at the Secretary of State's office as having filed for the seat currently held by Republican Jo Ann Emerson, only Emerson herself and Democrat Veronica Hambacker of Salem have filed financial disclosure reports.

They also show Emerson, of Cape Girardeau, heavily outraising Hambacker of Salem both for the quarter and overall. For the second quarter, Emerson raised $148,838 while Hambacker had raised $13,708.33.

To date, Emerson has $447,374.25 on hand, while Hambacker has $8,973.11.

In the state auditor's race, according to figures from the Missouri Ethics Commission's website, Democrat Susan Montee of St. Joseph has raised $74,574.04 for the second quarter of 2006. Of the Republicans, John Loudon of Chesterfield led the way with $66,678.38. Jack Jackson of Wildwood was second with $35,903. Sandra Thomas of Kansas City was third with $29,599.50, while Mark Wright of Springfield brought up the rear of candidates not exempted with $18,082.75.

Overall, Montee has $670,343.20 on hand. Jackson has $485,663.28, Thomas has $191,122.22, Loudon has $1325,492.94 and Wright has $40,431.11.

Three other candidates, one each Democrat, Republican and Libertarian, have filed exemptions from reporting given none of the three had raised at least $500.

In state House races:

* District 159 Republican incumbent Billy Pat Wright of Dexter raised $5,900 for the second quarter of 2006, while Democratic challenger Boyce Wooley, also of Dexter, raised $4,865.65. Wright leads in money on hand with $14,241.89; Wooley has $1,627.38.

Speaking Thursday morning, Wright was very upbeat about his totals to date. "We've gotten a lot of support in the district," he said, "even with those who don't agree 100 percent with what we've done."

Wooley is having a fundraising golf tournament tomorrow starting at 12:30 p.m. at Hidden Trails Country Club. "We know we've got a ways to get yet," said his wife Kay on Wednesday morning.

Wooley won the vote in Stoddard County in 2004 by 30 votes, but lost heavily enough in Cape Girardeau and Wayne Counties to give a Wright a 10 percentage point victory. He said he's working to make a stronger showing in Cape Girardeau County and is confident that voters are ready to listen.

"I am not trying to sling mud, but people are disappointed with Mr. Wright and that he has voted with the governor every time," Wooley said. "We need a little more independent thinking."

Wright, commenting Thursday morning, expressed disappointment in Wooley's observation. "I voted the way I thought was best for the district," he said. "There were times I voted with the governor and times I voted against him."

Wright also said there were many hard votes he'd had to make. "Those two weeks we dealt with health care I don't think I slept any," he said. "And it took some tough decisions on our part to keep the health care we had, and not go broke over it."

Wright added that, by and large, members of each party follow party lines anyway. "It doesn't mean they vote that way all the time," he said, "but it's the reason why we have political parties:

"You believe in the party agenda but it doesn't mean you're a rubber stamp."

* In House district 161, Republican Gary Branum of New Madrid has raised $23,275, while Democrat Steve Hodges of East Prairie has raised $12,235. Overall, Branum has $17,539.02 on hand as of the end of the second quarter, while Hodges has $7,602.63. The two are vying for the open seat left by the term-limited Republican Lanie Black.

* In the 163rd District, Republican Keith Mitchell of Kennett has raised $18,199.99. Democrat Tom Todd of Campbell has raised $11,165. The Missouri Ethics Commission website reflects neither a financial disclosure report filed nor an exemption filed for fellow Democrat Pat Allen, also of Kennett.

There is no incumbent running. State Rep Otto Bean had previously announced he would not seek re-election due to poor health, and died Monday morning.

Mitchell has $9,247.15 on hand, while Todd has $2.837.23. Again, no figures were available from the Missouri Ethics Commission for Allen.

gexelby@dailystatesman.com

Rudi Keller of the Southeast Missourian contributed to this story