Latecomer to race outspending opponents

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Just one month after he launched his campaign for 106th District state representative, Republican Kevin Engler had spent close to double the amount spent by Democrat Dennis W. Smith, who has been running for the seat since March.

Engler, who received his first donation on Sept. 23, had spent $21,991 as of Oct. 24. He had raised $41,230 since becoming a candidate and had $18,039 left on hand 12 days out from Tuesday's election.

Smith, a Farmington city councilman, had spent $12,969 after raising $15,417. He reported $2,403 on hand -- about one-eighth what Engler had for the final push.

Independent Elbert Bohnert of Perryville is also vying for the seat. He had collected $2,470, including some of his own money, and spent $2,121. He reported $348 remaining in his campaign coffers.

Engler, the Farmington mayor, was recruited to carry the GOP banner in the election after incumbent state Rep. Tom Burcham of Farmington dropped out of the race in late September following his second arrest in five months for driving while intoxicated.

Money from outside of the 106th District, which covers parts of Perry, Ste. Genevieve and St. Francois counties, was fueling both the Engler and Smith campaigns, according to campaign finance disclosure reports that cover donations made from Oct. 1 through Oct. 24.

Of the $28,705 Engler raised during that period, at least 47 percent, or $13,375, came from sources outside of the district. Most of those donations came from interest groups or Republican Party groups, the latter including donations of $2,925 each from the Republican State Committee and the neighboring 156th Legislative District Committee.

Smith collected $6,750 during that period. Almost 97 percent of that money -- all but two donations totaling $225 -- came from donors outside of the district, primarily labor unions and Democratic organizations, including a $2,925 contribution from the Democratic State Committee.

Individual donors may give up to $300 to House candidates. Political party committees may donate up to 10 times that amount.

Engler outspent Smith by more than double during the last reporting cycle, $17,521 to $8,747. Advertising accounted for the bulk of Engler's expenditures. In addition to advertising, Smith's spending included a $6,000 donation to Team Missouri, the committee coordinating the Democratic Party's statewide effort to elect Democrats to the House.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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