IN GOOD SHAPE, KINDER HELPS OTHER REPUBLICANS WITH FUNDS

In seeking a third and final term in the Missouri Senate, Sen. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau has an easy time, lacking even token opposition in both the primary and general election. With a healthy campaign bank account and no need to wage an all-out campaign on his own behalf, Kinder is using his finances to help other Missouri Republicans.

During the last finance reporting period, which covers April 1 through June 30, Kinder donated $3,770 to six fellow Republicans candidates, including two running for state representative in Southeast Missouri.

Kinder said he expects to contribute up to $6,000 to fellow Republicans in both the primary and general elections.

Kinder gave the maximum of $275 to state Rep. Peter Myers of Sikeston, Mo. Myers, first elected in 1998, is unopposed in the Aug. 8 primary but will face Democrat Fran Robison, also of Sikeston, in the general election.

Kinder also donated $275 to Jason Crowell, one of three Cape Girardeau Republicans seeking to replace retiring Rep. Mary Kasten. Crowell is a former legislative staffer for Kinder.

In state Senate races, Kinder is aiding two St. Louis-area state representatives running for open upper chamber seats. Senate tradition forbids sitting state senators from involvement in races targeting colleagues of the opposite party.

Kinder gave the maximum for a state Senate race of $550 to Rep. Michael Gibbons of Kirkwood, Mo. Gibbons is running against fellow Republican Rep. Emmy McClelland of Webster Groves, Mo., to replace Sen. Walt Mueller, R-St. Louis, who is not seeking reelection.

Rep. Chuck Gross of St. Charles, Mo., also received $550 from Kinder's campaign. Gross is seeking the seat currently held by Republican Sen. Steve Ehlmann of St. Charles, who is stepping down. Rep. Rich Crismer of St. Peters, Mo., is Gross' primary opponent.

Assisting one of his colleagues, Kinder contributed $1,000 to Sen. Sam Graves' bid for U.S. Congress. The Tarkio, Mo., Republican is one of six hopefuls running in the GOP primary for the 6th Congressional District seat being vacated by Democrat Pat Danner of Kansas City, Mo.

Graves' brother, Todd Graves of Ridgely, Mo., is one of two Republicans running for state treasurer. Kinder donated $1,125, the maximum for a statewide race, to Todd Graves, the Platte county prosecuting attorney.

Kinder reported $38,132.81 in cash on hand at the beginning of the reporting period. His report shows he took in $750 while spending $4,948.18. The expenditures include his donations to fellow Republicans and expenses related to his own campaign operations. Kinder had $33,934.63 left in the bank at the end of the reporting period.

mppowers@socket.net