Lichtenegger tops her opponents in campaign funds, records show

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- In terms of money in the bank, Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson, Mo., has a huge lead on her competitors in the 157th District state representative race.

So far, Lichtenegger is one of four Republicans seeking to replace term-limited state Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson. Official candidate filing doesn't open until Feb. 26 and closes March 26. No Democrats have yet announced their candidacy.

As of Dec. 31, Lichtenegger had $18,871.15 on hand -- more than four-and-a-half times the $4,085.59 reported by Tom Sasche of Friedheim, Mo., and nearly eight-and-a-half times the $2,250.67 Scott Lipke of Jackson had in the bank. The fourth candidate, Jackson school board president Gerald Adams still hadn't formed a campaign committee as of Thursday.

The financial figures come from quarterly campaign disclosure reports filed Tuesday with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Began earlier

One factor accounting for Lichtenegger's financial advantage is that she began fund-raising efforts earlier than her opponents. With more than six months until the Aug. 8 party primary, having the most available cash now won't necessarily translate into having the most votes then.

During the period covered by the reports -- Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 -- Sasche brought in the most contributions, $3,929. He also made $600 in loans to his campaign, bringing his total campaign debt to $1,100. Christopher Haertling of Altenburg, Mo., was his largest single contributor, giving $250.

Sasche, president of the Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau, spent $716.47, mostly on postage and office supplies.

Lichtenegger took in $2,397 during that period. Her most generous donors were John and Bekki Cook of Cape Girardeau, who combined to give $550, or double the per-person limit of $275 for a state representative race. John Cook is a prominent lawyer with strong ties to the Democratic Party; Bekki Cook is a former Democratic Missouri secretary of state.

Lichtenegger spent just $68.88, mostly on printing. Her campaign had no debt.

Lipke, a Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney, raised $2,055 in cash plus another $278.70 worth of in-kind contributions. Francis McClellan and T. Dodd McClellan of Cape Girardeau provided Lipke's largest donations, each giving $250.

Lipke spent $152.88 on minor items and had $750 in outstanding debt.

New boundaries for the 157th District will take effect for this year's elections. The redrawn district includes Jackson, northern Cape Girardeau County and most of rural Perry County.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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