Candidates file campaign finance reports

Incumbents are outraising their challengers, a Republican official is backing a Democrat, and one candidate has loaned his campaign more than $12,000 according to financial disclosure reports.

Here's a look at the numbers behind the primary races for five local offices:

State representative

Corporate contributions pushed Rep. Todd Smith well ahead of his challenger in money raised for the 118th District Republican primary election, according to financial disclosure reports.

Mr. Smith reported $12,775 in contributions and spent $1,509. Philip Sherman, operating mainly on $2,500 in loans, reported receipts of $2,610 and spent $1,851.

Mr. Smith's report eight days prior to the Aug. 8 primary lists contributions from Ameristar Casino, of St. Charles and Kansas City, $325 each; BNSF Railway, of Springfield, $325; and Hallmark Cards, of Kansas City, $325.

The report lists contributions from political action committees: Empire Electric, of Joplin, $325; Missouri Medical, of Jefferson City, $325; AT&T Employees, of St. Louis, $175; Missouri Retail Dealers Association, of Jefferson City, $325; Missouri Firefighters, of Kansas City, $325; Rural Telecom, of Jefferson City, $325; Plumbing Industry Council, of Maryland Heights, $100; and Consulting Engineers Council, of Jefferson City, $300.

The Republican nominated in the primary will face Jerry Beck, Democrat, in the Nov. 7 election. Mr. Beck's disclosure reports were not available from the Missouri Ethics Commission Web site Tuesday or Wednesday.

commissioner

Sheriff Kevin Bond, a Republican, is supporting a Democrat candidate seeking his party's nomination for presiding commissioner in Tuesday's primary election.

Gary Farr reported receiving a $100 contribution from Mr. Bond and his wife Sherri. Candidates must identify individual contributors of $100 or more in their reports.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Presiding Commissioner Rusty Kahrs, a Republican, in the Nov. 7 general election.

Mr. Farr, 43, reported taking in $7,223 and spending $2,535in his primary campaign

Mr. Farr is using $1,600 of his own money. Others who contributed $100 or more are: Stockton attorney Michael D. Holzkencht, $100; Specialty Sportswear Inc., $244 in-kind; Vernan H. Bingaman, of Sedalia, $300; Patricia's Mexican Restaurant, $150 in-kind; and Dorothy J. Lewis and Deborah Biermann, both of Sedalia, $100.

Mr. Farr brought in $4,554 from a fundraiser.

Mr. Farr's Democratic challenger, Frank Powell, 50, said he is not soliciting contributions and does not intend to spend more than $1,000.

A candidate does not have to form a committee or report income or expenses if the amount does not exceed $1,000, according to state law.

"I'm completely financing my own campaign," Mr. Powell said. "That way I don't appear beholden to anybody."

Incumbent Rusty Kahrs, Republican, who is unchallenged in the primary, reported taking in $2,534 and spending $601. He is using $1,500 of his own money.

Mr. Kahrs reported $498 worth of in-kind contributions, campaign signs and materials left over from his 2002 committee for presiding commissioner, which dissolved on Dec. 2, 2002.

auditor

Incumbent Auditor Connie Purchase has raised twice as much money as her Republican opponent, according to financial disclosure reports.

Mrs. Purchase, 54, brought in $3,160 and spent $3,039. She is using $1,460 of her own money and reported $1,700 in anonymous contributions.

Mrs. Purchase spent $1,423 on advertising and $1,205 on campaign materials.

Kathleen Boswell, 51, raised $1,522 and spent $1,218. She is using $472 of her own money, brought in $950 from two fundraisers and had $100 in anonymous contributions.

Mrs. Boswell spent $728 for signs, $200 on advertising and $77 for T-shirts.

collector

Ron Yates, a candidate for the Republican nomination for county collector, reported contributions of $3,050 and expenses $2,050, according to capaign financial disclosure reports. He loaned his campaign $3,000.

Mr. Yates filed the report, which was due July 31, on Wednesday. Mr. Yates filed the report after being informed of the requirement by a reporter and checking with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Mr. Yates faces Richard DeFord in the Aug. 8 primary. The winner challenges incumbent Bob Leftwich, a Democrat, in the Nov. 7 general election.

Mr. DeFord brought in $1,209 and spent $954. He is using $708 of his own money and reported a $125 in-kind contribution.

Mr. Leftwich has not formed a committee and has not filed disclosure reports. He said he is unsure if he will form a committee. He said he has spent nearly $800 on signs and posters.

circuit clerk

Frank Higgins, Republican candidate for circuit clerk, loaned himself $12,200 to finance his campaign, which is three times the money his two opponents have raised, according to financial disclosure reports.

Mr. Higgins faces Susan Sadler and Kevin Tylar in the Aug. 8 primary for the Republican nomination.

Mr. Higgins, 57, reported $12,350 in receipts and spent $10,971. He spent $10,861 on advertising and $110 on supplies.

Mrs. Sadler, 44, raised $7,338 and spent $4,360. Individuals who contributed more tyhan $100 were Barbara Hayden, of Sedalia, $250; Heather Cantrell, of Sedalia, $279.38; Chuck Kempton, of Sedalia, $250; Dr. Alice Ruttlinger, of Sedalia, $250; Ramond Smith, of Sedalia, $300; and Nancy Bouse, of Sedalia, $200.

Mrs. Sadler raised $4,310 from individuals who contributed $100 or less. She is using $1,000 of her own money.

Mr. Tylar, 32, brought in $4,815 and spent $2,961. Individual contributors were Pamela J. Holdeman, of Sedalia, $300; James Theisen, county GIS coordinator, $50; Hansel E. Morris Sr., of Sedalia, $200; and Michelle Holdeman, of North Carolina, $150.

Mr. Tylar brought in $2,905 with a fundraiser.

The winner will face Democratic candidate Nilda Noland in the Nov. 7 general election. Ms. Noland reported bringing in $2,871 and spending $2,286. She is using nearly $2,600 of her own money.