158TH HOPEFULS REPORT FINANCES

With the approach of Tuesday's primary election, Republican candidates for the 158th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives were draining their campaign coffers.

According to the latest finance disclosure reports, expenditures outpaced contributions for the three GOP hopefuls -- attorney Jason Crowell, Ward 3 Councilman Jay Purcell and businessman Stan Wicks, all of Cape Girardeau.

Purcell spent $9,830.13 during July, nearly twice as much as Crowell, who spent $5,467. Wicks spent $2,462.

The reports were due with the Missouri Ethics Commission Monday. Only Crowell and Ward 2 Councilman Tom Neumeyer, a Democrat unopposed in the primary, turned their reports in on time. Purcell and Wicks submitted their reports later in the week.

Purcell's expenses included $2,762.60 to KFVS-12 for television commercial production and air time, $3,807 to KGMO-100.7 FM for radio air time and $2,408.30 for newspaper ads in the Southeast Missourian.

Crowell's largest single expense was $3,000 to Strategic Communications of Cape Girardeau for media placement. Crowell did much of his broadcast and print advertising purchases several months ago.

Wicks spent $1,830.90 on television ads with KFVS and another $195 with KBSI-23.

Purcell, who took in $3,593.36 in the latest reporting period, was left with $3,550.33 on hand going into the final week of the campaign.

Giving Purcell the maximum of $275 for a state representative race were James Drury, Charlotte Drury, John Drury, Nina Heise and Craftsman International Union, all of Cape Girardeau. The union had previously given a maximum donation to Crowell. Purcell also loaned his campaign $1,500.

Purcell had greater than three times more cash left than Crowell, who took in $1,600 and was left with $1,138.20 in the bank. Crowell received only one maximum donation this period, from Sonny Underwood of Cape Girardeau.

Wicks took in $2,131.87, the bulk of which was $1,925 in personal loans. He also raised $206.87 in small donations and $100 in in-kind services. He received no individual, itemized donations. His expenses where greater than his receipts, leaving him $348.36 in debt for this period.

For the campaign as a whole, Crowell by far had raised and spent the most money, doing much of his fund raising and spending early on.

Crowell had raised $38,621.33 while spending $36,228.10 with $10,000 in outstanding debt.

Purcell had raised $16,551.62 and had $13,001.29 in expenses and $11,500 in debt.

Wicks' overall activity for the campaign was unclear from his report.

Democrat Neumeyer's campaign finances had been far less active to this point than those of the Republicans.

Neumeyer started the latest period with $2,516.04, raised $1,025 while spending $709.37 to leave him with $2,831.67 on hand.

Three of his four donations were for the maximum. Those came from the Electrical Workers Union and Hoisting Engineers Local 513, both of St. Louis, and from Shirley Patterson of Cape Girardeau. His expenses were for general campaign materials.

For the campaign, Neumeyer had raised $3,993.06 while spending $1,120. He had no campaign debt.

mppowers@socket.net

JULY SPENDING

July campaign spending by candidates for the 158th District Missouri House seat:Republicansn Jay Purcell, $9,830.13.* Jason Crowell, $5,467. * Stan Wicks, $2,462.Democrat*n Tom Neumeyer, $709.37.List of contributors, Page 2A

JULY CONTRIBUTIONS

Cash campaign contributions to candidates for state representative from the 158th District for July. Personal loans and anonymous donations of under $100 are not included. Listings show contributor, city of residence (when not Cape Girardeau) and amount:

* Jason Crowell, Republican

Jim White, $200; Albert Loews, $200; Loren Rullman, $50; Hillary Schmittzehe, $25; Ed Lampitt, $50; J.D. Moore, Kansas City, Mo., $100; Frank Emmendorfer, $50; Mike Kasten, Millersville, Mo., $75; Priscilla Kasten, Millersville, Mo., $75; Herb Wedemeier, $50; Leslie Wedemeier, $50; Susan Elrod, $25; C.R. Talbert, $125; Bettie Talbert, $125; Bill Dockins, $100; Sonny Underwood, $275; Richard Schaefer, $25.

* Jay Purcell, Republican

Chad Schmitt, $50; Martin Hecht, $100; Daniel Drury, $255; James Drury, $275; Charlotte Drury, $275; John Drury, $275; William and Ruth Joyce, $200; Clarence Schade, $25; Melvin Gateley, $50; Hilary Schmittzehe, $25; Nina Heise, $275; Craftsman International Union, $275;

* Stan Wicks, Republican

None.

* Tom Neumeyer, Democrat

Electrical Workers Union, St. Louis, $275; Hoisting Engineers Local, $275; Shirley Patterson, $275; Cris Edwards, $100.