Campaign finance: Galloway raises more than Parson, county commission challengers bring in thousands
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The leading Democratic challenger for governor doubled what Missouri's chief executive made this quarter, according to campaign finance filings with the state.
The Missouri Ethics Commission reports show Gov. Mike Parson still has more money on hand in his campaign to retain his seat as governor than state auditor Nicole Galloway. The auditor, however, raised more than double of what Parson did from April 1 to June 30, closing the monetary gap between the two.
Records show Galloway collected $1,128,479.63 this quarter through 5,711 different donations. Parson's committee gathered $481,641.08 in that same time through 796 contributions. The number of contributions reflects the number of donations received in the quarter, but people and committees can donate more than once in that time.
Parson's committee still has more cash on hand than Galloway's going into August's primary. The incumbent governor has $1,547,802.93 on hand, compared to Galloway's $1,521,885.39. A political action committee in support of Parson, Uniting Missouri PAC, also sits on millions, reporting $5.1 million on hand.
Outside of the two gubernatorial candidates, Democratic Secretary of State candidate Yinka Faleti raised the most money of anyone running for statewide office. Faleti's report shows he raised $154,326.01 this quarter, several times more than his GOP opponent and current Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft raised in that time at $20,065. Ashcroft still has more money on hand at the moment.
County commissioners
A Cole County Commission hopeful raked in the most individual donations of any mid-Missouri candidate not seeking a state government post.
Harry Otto, GOP candidate for the commission's Western District seat, brought in $28,950 this quarter on 200 donations. Otto is running against incumbent commissioner Kris Scheperle, who raised $1,600, and Gary Bemboom, who brought in $9,780 in August's primary.
In Boone County's four-way race for the Republican nomination in District 2, three candidates reported fundraising. Tristan Asbury led the way with $7,665, followed by Sam Boyce's $1,950 raised and Jim Musgraves' $600. Brendan Riddles, who won 2016's nomination, has not established a campaign committee with the ethics commission.
The winner will face Commissioner Janet Thompson in November, who reported raising $6,520 this quarter. Thompson has $7,111.60 on hand.
Boone County District 1 Commissioner Fred Parry reported $47,805 in contributions this quarter, and $71,926.76 on hand. He will likely face Justin Aldred in November, who reported raising $24,485 and has $15,591.14 on hand.
State Senate
More than 500 people and political action committees donated to candidates for a state Senate seat representing Boone and Cooper counties.
MEC reports show that Sen. Caleb Rowden (R - Columbia) took in $57,106 this quarter on 76 contributions. His challenger, Judy Baker, reported 470 contributions totaling $75,467 in money raised. Rowden, the current Senate Majority Floor Leader, still has more money on hand - $237,262.31 compared to Baker's $135,182.81.
