With Columbia’s biggest election in over a decade nearly upon us, it behooves me to list where the candidates stand in terms of money raised and spent.
But, before I commence, one thing struck me as I looked over the finance reports.
For all the talk about economic development and supporting local businesses while Columbia copes with the recession, the amount of money some of the leading candidates spent on campaign materials from out-of-state businesses seems out of character.
Mayoral candidate Bob McDavid spent $11,408 on campaign material and services from companies outside of Missouri. Most of it was for campaign mail and signs from companies based in Iowa — and with elections as important as they are there, it’s probably top-of-the-line stuff.
Jerry Wade’s campaign spent $7,233 on campaign supplies from non-Missouri companies. Most of those companies were in Cleveland, probably much more in need of economic help than Columbia.
Still, the vast majority of money spent was given to Columbia businesses, but it seems that a candidate running for Columbia mayor would want to encourage citizens to spend locally to support community investment.
But hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to win, right?
Anyway, that’s not why you called. Here’s the rundown of campaign finance info for the final report before the election:
Mayor –
Bob McDavid:
Probably the biggest story of the report is the huge surge in donations to McDavid. McDavid has raised $56,658 this election, with $50,578 coming in the last month. He’s still got $14,904 on hand now, and spent $39,452 during this reporting period.
Some notable donors:
Commerce Bank’s Political Action Committee gave $500. Reinhardt Construction out of Centralia donated $400. Farm Power Lawn and Leisure contributed $1,200 over the course of the election. Companies affiliated with Larry Moore gave $1,450. Emery Sapp & Sons gave $450. Chamber Board Chairman Byron Hill gave $300. Fred Parry gave him $250.
McDavid also tapped into his connections with the medical community, raising $11,300 from physicians and medical-related businesses.
Jerry Wade:
Wade, who long led in the election, has raised a total of $29,175. This period, he raised $7,794. He’s got $3,904 on hand after spending $16,236 this period and $23,982 over the course of the election. What a difference a month makes.
Some notable contributors:
Former REDI chair Bob Black is still behind Wade, throwing him another $500 for a total of $700 over the whole election. Planning and Zoning Commissioner Helen Anthony donated $200 to his campaign. Downtown developer John Ott gave him $200.
Sid Sullivan:
He’s raised $5,526 total, with $883 of that coming this period. He’s got $2,833 on hand after spending $3,577 this campaign ($646 of it this period).
Paul Love:
He’s raised $1,551 this election, all of it in the last period. He’s spent $1,473, leaving him with $77.
Sean O’Day and Sal Nuccio did not file.
Fourth Ward —
Sarah Read:
She’s raised $7,789 this election, $2,043 of it in the last period. She’s spent $1,540 this period, putting her total at $3,144. And she’s got $1,185 on hand.
Daryl Dudley:
He’s raised $7,478 this last month, putting his total at $9,168. Almost all of his $8,569 of expenditures have been this period. He also took out a $5,382 loan, leaving him with $5,582 on hand.
Notable donors: Tom Atkins’ Rock Creek Properties gave him $1,200. Companies affiliated with Larry Moore gave him $1,450.
Tracy Greever-Rice:
She’s raised $2,950 this period and spent $1,221. That makes her total this election $5,547. Some notable donors include $200 from the Osage Group Sierra Club.
Rick Buford:
He’s raised $1,200 this election, all of it this period. He’s spent $1,193.
Third Ward:
Karl Skala:
He’s raised $11,637 this election, including a $2,000 contribution from his wife (contributions that large have to be reported within 24 hours, and this one was made after the report was submitted). This period, he’s gotten $4,505 and spent $3,675.
Notable donors include the Sierra Club and Sixth Ward Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe, both of which gave $200.
Gary Kespohl:
He’s raised $4,684 this period, putting his total at $9,553. He’s spent $7,593 this period, leaving him with $842 on hand.
Notable donors: Companies affiliated with Larry Moore gave him $1,400. Columbia Insurance group threw him $1,000.
Categories: Business.
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