Lichtenegger leads in campaign funding

JACKSON, Mo. -- Republican Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson is off to a strong fund-raising start in her quest to become 157th District state representative.

During the finance disclosure reporting period of July 1 through Sept. 30, Lichtenegger raised $20,462 and spent $3,918.97, leaving her with $16,543.03 on hand.

Scott Lipke of Jackson, also a Republican, is the only other candidate to form a campaign committee for the 157th District seat being vacated by state Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson. Schwab, first elected to the Missouri General Assembly in 1988, is barred by term limits from seeking re-election.

As of Sept. 30, Lipke had raised $1,295, which includes a $750 loan from himself, and spent $946.45. That left him with $348.55 cash, nearly 2 percent of Lichtenegger's cash on hand.

The candidate finance disclosure reports were filed last week with the Missouri Ethics Commission in Jefferson City, Mo.

With so much time left until the August primary elections, Lipke said he isn't concerned about the early funding disparity.

"She got into the game a little bit earlier," Lipke said. "Now that a lot of people know I am running, they've said they would support me. The bottom line is who gets the most votes, not who raises the most money."

Lipke, a Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney, said his fund-raising effort really got going after the period covered by the disclosure reports. Receipts from recent fund-raising events are still to be totaled, Lipke said.

Lichtenegger, a dental hygienist, said voters shouldn't read too much into her early financial advantage. Everyone who is running is an exceptional candidate, and that is great for the 157th District.

But she takes her ability to raise money early as a positive sign.

"I'm so gratified and encouraged by the people who have asked me to run and the contributions I've received," Lichtenegger said. "I'm looking forward to a great race."

All of Lichtenegger's donations came from individuals and businesses. Money from interest groups through political action committees typically doesn't begin to flow into campaigns until much closer to Election Day.

Forty donors gave Lichtenegger the $275 maximum for a state representative race, including a number of married couples who combined to give double the limit.

Donors listing Cape Girardeau addresses accounted for about 35 percent of the money -- $7,235 -- Lichtenegger raised. However, Lichtenegger said much of that came from donors who live in outlying areas of the city and within the 157th District.

The 157th District encompasses Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties and excludes all but a small part of Cape Girardeau. Legislative redistricting will change that by the time candidates officially file for state offices in late February.

A number of redistricting plans have been proposed. They range from leaving Cape Girardeau County's two House districts largely unchanged to carving up the county among as many as five districts.

Both Lipke and Lichtenegger said the outcome of redistricting won't affect their decisions to run.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608