JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Scott Lipke of Jackson raised almost as much in campaign contributions as the other three Republican candidates for the 157th House District combined during the first three months of 2002.

However, Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson, who began raising money months before the other hopefuls, still had the most sizable campaign war chest in the race to claim the GOP nomination to succeed term-limited state Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson.

According to disclosure reports filed last week with the Missouri Ethics Commission, as of April 1 Lichtenegger, a Republican Party activist, had $20,014.12 in the bank. Lipke, a Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney, was next with $13,301.85 on hand.

The remaining two GOP hopefuls -- county Farm Bureau president Tom Sachse of Friedheim and Jackson school board president Gerald Adams -- reported $6,194.20 and $1,890.17 in cash on hand, respectively.

Aug. 6 primary

The Aug. 6 Republican primary winner will face Democrat Chuck Miller of Oriole and Libertarian Timothy Doubledee of Jackson in November's general election.

Miller, a farmer and auctioneer, formed his campaign committee with less than two weeks left in the latest reporting period, which covered Jan. 1 to April 1. During that time he raised $1,565 and had no expenditures.

Doubledee filed a statement saying that he intends to neither spend nor receive more than $500 during the campaign.

Lipke gained significant financial ground on Lichtenegger, raising $12,255. Eighteen donors gave him the maximum for a House race of $300. He spent $1,203.82.

Despite having the least amount of money in the bank among the Republicans, Adams had the second most productive fund-raising period, garnering $5,205, though no donations were for the maximum amount. Adams spent most of what he raised -- $3,314.83.

Lichtenegger raised $4,950, including nine donations for the maximum amount, while spending $3,807.03.

Sachse collected $2,904, with no donations higher than $124. He spent $795.39.

Because of redistricting, the 157th District includes northern Cape Girardeau County and most of Perry County. However, most of the money raised by the candidates came from Cape Girardeau County donors.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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