Treece campaign raises more than $50k

Columbia’s mayor has built a sizable campaign war chest in his bid for re-election, finance reports filed this week show.

Columbia Mayor Brian Treece has raised nearly $52,000 for his campaign, according to a report filed Thursday with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Reports were due Thursday, 40 days before the April 2 election.

Challenger Chris Kelly, who reported raising about $20,000 for the entire election and nearly $12,000 during the period covered by the most recent report, filed his report Friday. Kelly said he made a mistake and had initially thought the deadline was Friday.

Treece’s contributions come from a variety of sources including well-known Columbians and unions. Among the donors are the Columbia Police Officers’ Association, association director Dale Roberts and Citizens for a Safe Columbia, a political action committee run by Roberts and CPOA member Chad Craig.

Treece also reported receiving a total of $180 in cash from unknown donors after the money was left in a donation basket at a fundraising event. His campaign had spent about $12,000 as of Feb. 16.

Kelly’s contributors during the most recent reporting period include Columbia Board of Education member Teresa Maledy, former city manager Bill Watkins, retired judge Gary Oxenhandler and Columbia Second Ward Councilman Mike Trapp.

Kelly’s campaign has spent about $7,000 total, according to his report.

The next round of finance reports before the April election is due March 25.

Treece raised more than $80,000 in his 2016 election bid. His opponent in that race, attorney Skip Walther, reported raising about $72,000.

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