Democrats, Republicans funnel thousands into special elections

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Republican and Democratic parties are pouring big money into three special legislative elections that will occur next week.

Republican Party committees and officeholders donated more than $230,000 to the races, while Democrats gave about $171,000 in the latest period, campaign finance reports filed Monday show. Republican interests provided about two-thirds of the money raised for their nominees in the period from Feb. 20 through March 24, while Democratic groups donated about half the total to their candidates.

On April 5, voters will select candidates to fill one open House and two open Senate seats.

Generally, state legislative races garner less media attention and finances because they are low on the ballot, after the president, governor and other statewide candidates and issues.

Increased visibility

But an April election gives them more visibility, and the parties may see the election as an indication of whether voters agree with how the Republican-controlled executive and legislative branches are performing.

"If the Democrats pick up a seat, they'll say this is clearly a referendum on what the governor is doing. If the Republicans win it, they will no doubt say this is a clear trend of Republicans taking control of the state of Missouri," said Rick Hardy, an associate professor of political science at University of Missouri-Columbia.

In one Senate race, for a Jefferson County seat, Democratic Rep. Rick Johnson, of High Ridge, the former House minority floor leader, faces former Republican Rep. Bill Alter, also of High Ridge. Two candidates also are running as independents in that contest -- longtime St. Louis area sportscaster Zip Rzeppa, of Barnhart, and Democratic Rep. Harold Selby, of Cedar Hill.

Alter reported raising $284,950 in all, including $265,060 in the most recent period. Of that, his report to the Missouri Ethics Commission indicated that nearly $215,000 -- more than 80 percent -- came from Republican Party or legislative committees and officeholders.

"We've gotten a good deal of momentum going in the General Assembly; we're trying to maintain what we have and build on it," said Republican Party spokesman John H ancock. "I don't know that it's necessarily a referendum on the governor or legislature."

Johnson reported raising $292,348 for the election, including $167,347 for this period. Johnson collected about $90,000 in the period from Democratic Party or legislative committees and officeholders.

"With what's going on in Jeff City right now, there's a lot of interest around the state in changing who our elected representatives are," said Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti.

Republicans control the House 97-65, and the Senate 22-10, so the balance of power won't change no matter who wins the seats. But Democrats think losses could send a message.

"Putting those [Democratic] candidates in place will send a signal that the path Matt Blunt and the Republicans are taking this state is wrong and it's shortsighted," Cardetti said.

Rzeppa reported raising about $7,350 in all, and Selby's report was not available Monday afternoon.

The seat opened when Democrat Steve Stoll, of Festus, resigned to become his hometown's city administrator. He had about two years left in the term.

Unexpired term

In the other Senate race, Democratic Rep. Frank Barnitz, of Lake Spring, faces Republican Bill Hickle, the Rolla municipal judge. The winner fills the seat left by Republican Sarah Steelman, of Rolla, who gave up the office to become state treasurer in January. She also had two years left on her four-year term.

Barnitz said he collected more than $118,000 in all, including nearly $110,000 this period. More than $57,000 of that came from Democratic Party or legislative committees and officeholders.

Hickle reported collecting $78,470 in all, including $45,660 in the period ending March 24. About $7,000 of that was from Republican Party or legislative committees and officeholders.

One House seat is also open, after Democratic Rep. Dan Bishop died. Democrat Teresa Loar faces Republican Ryan Silvey. Loar reported raising $66,405 in all, including $58,995 this period. Of that, more than $24,000 came from Democratic Party or legislative committees and officeholders.

Silvey has raised about $28,715, all but $900 in this period. Of that, he reported receiving about $11,000 from the Republican Party or legislative committees and officeholders.

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On the Net:

Ethics Commission: http://www.moethics.mo.gov