Hulshof benefits from repeal of contribution limit

In the first few days since the limits were lifted, Hulshof reported receiving more than $1.2 million from contributors writing checks of between $5,000 and $600,000 a pop....

Cape Girardeau: where the housewives give $10,000

Peter Kinder's latest report with the Missouri Ethics Commission did not provide the same kind of fireworks the first one did. There are no families giving $300,000 to the lieutenant governor like the Humphreys family of Joplin did on the first day of our post-contribution limits era.

However, it is always interesting to see a $10,000 contribution from someone listed as a "homemaker."  full story here

Scramble for the loot

...the biggest nabber of donations seems to be U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Columbia....

New law adds to power of special interests

About 15 years ago, Missourians made it clear that we wanted some say over the out-of-control campaign contributions that have taken control away from the people and handed it to the special interests.

Now, thanks to our legislature, including every single one representing voters in Newton, Jasper, McDonald, and Barton counties, we no longer have contribution limits.

On the first day of the new wild west era of campaigning, Congressman Kenny Hulshof, the Republican candidate for governor, raked in more than $1.1 million, with $600,000 of that coming from the national Republican Governors Association. His opponent, Jay Nixon, has also raised about a half million dollars.

Special interests from this corner of the state have been well represented in the spending spree. The Humphreys family of TAMKO Roofing in Joplin has contributed nearly half a million to its favored candidates, with $300,000 going to Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder’s re-election campaign and another $150,000 to Michael Gibbons’ race for attorney general.

...Special interests have already been steering most of the legislation that goes through the Missouri General Assembly. With millions going into statewide elections, and with legislative races sure to follow, returning the government to the people has become that much more difficult.  full story here

New law may open floodgates for political spending