Yeah, the differences among the candidates in this race in raising money is going to continue to generate some heat.

And the contestants are (in ballot order):

Attorney General

Republican

Mike Gibbons Jefferson City MO 2/26/2008

Democratic

Chris Koster Jefferson City MO 2/26/2008

Margaret Donnelly St. Louis MO 2/26/2008

Jeff Harris Columbia MO 65205 2/26/2008

Molly Williams Kansas City MO 3/13/2008

 

Molly Williams (D) filed her Statement of Committee Organization (pdf) – dated April 9th, postmarked April 14th, and marked received by the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 17th. She also filed a Committee Electronic Filing Agreement (pdf) – dated April 11th, postmarked April 14th, and marked received by the commission on April 17th.

Jeff Harris (D) filed his first quarter 2008 campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 15th:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe[e]: HARRIS FOR MISSOURI

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $447,604.04

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $161,684.00

3. ALL LOANS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $0.00

6. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $655.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $609,943.04

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $250,416.08

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $460,120.12

That’s a pretty penny. Let’s look at expenditures:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe[e]: HARRIS FOR MISSOURI

Report[ ]Date: 04/15/2008

Midwest Mailing Service Columbia MO 01/04/2008 Mailing Services $2,151.58

MJG Consulting Jefferson City MO 01/11/2008 Research $2,500.00

MJG Consulting Jefferson City MO 02/07/2008 Research $2,500.00

MJG Consulting Jefferson City MO 03/20/2008 Research $2,500.00

Strategic Initiatives St. Louis MO 01/10/2008 Research $1,600.00

Strategic Initiatives St. Louis MO 63116 02/08/2008 Research $1,600.00

Swing State Media Kansas City MO 01/28/2008 Web Site Charges $1,618.55

Swing State Media Kansas City MO 02/12/2008 Web Site Charges $1,595.95

Swing State Media Kansas City MO 03/11/2008 Web Site Charges $1,712.07

Targeted Strategies Group St. Louis MO 01/07/2008 Research $2,629.39

Targeted Strategies Group St. Louis MO 02/24/2008 Research $5,000.00

VR Research Oakland CA 01/10/2008 Research $6,415.60

VR Research Oakland CA 02/08/2008 Research $5,548.94

VR Research Oakland CA 03/05/2008 Research $6,882.43

Research happens. Let’s take a look at contributions:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: HARRIS FOR MISSOURI

Report Date: 04/15/2008

135th Democratic Committee Springfield, MO 03/17/2008 $5,250.00

135th Democratic Committee Springfield, MO 03/31/2008 $4,200.00

13th Democratic Senatorial Committee St. Louis, MO 03/31/2008 $1,000.00

27th Legislative District Democratic Committe Joseph, MO 03/13/2008 $500.00

40th Democratic Legislative District Committe Kansas City, MO 03/17/2008 $250.00

8th Ward Democratic Committee Kansas City, MO 01/09/2008 $500.00

8th Ward Democratic Committee Kansas City, MO 02/20/2008 $100.00

8th Ward Democratic Committee Kansas City, MO 02/29/2008 $150.00

8th Ward Democratic Committee Kansas City, MO 03/19/2008 $100.00

Greene County Democratic Central Committee Springfield, MO 03/17/2008 $6,300.00

Greene County Democratic Central Committee Springfield, MO 03/31/2008 $4,900.00

13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $11,185.00

And there was a long list of people, some “maxing out” and many not.

Democratic AG candidates spar

…In a conference call with reporters today, Harris lambasted Koster for “recycling” campaign cash he had to return after the Supreme Court invalidated a limitless campaign contribution law.

Like many other lawmakers, it appears Koster’s supporters created multiple district and county party committees to redistribute the money back to Koster’s campaign coffers.

“This is a reason for Democratic voters to scrutinize Sen. Koster very closely before they go into the voting booth,” said Harris, D-Columbia.

On Tuesday, Koster’s campaign reported raising about $610,000 in the first 90 days of this year. Records show Harris lagged begin, adding $161,000 to his campaign bank account…

[emphasis added] tiny URL

Uh, those weren’t amateur bowler’s knitting circles making contributions in the previous report, where they?

Margaret Donnelly filed her first quarter 2008 campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 15th:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: DONNELLY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $589,829.24

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $161,571.00

3. ALL LOANS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $0.00

6. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $2,432.16

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $753,832.40

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $154,315.35

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $631,441.42

35. TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 29 + 30 + 31 – 32 – 33 – 34) $200,000.00

[emphasis added]

That’s another pretty penny. Let’s take a look at expenditures:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe[e]: DONNELLY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

Report[ ]Date: 04/15/2008

The Martin Communications Group Kansas City, MO 01/04/2008 Organizational managment $2,359.84

NGP 1225 Eye Street NW Washington, DC 20005 02/04/2008 Office $3,582.00

River City Strategies Jefferson City, MO 01/04/2008 Research $1,000.00

Creative Litho Saint Louis, MO 01/15/2008 Printing $1,859.63

Creative Litho Saint Louis, MO 03/20/2008 Printing $1,832.67

The Martin Communications Group Kansas City, MO 03/01/2008 Organizational managment $1,000.00

Roman Communications St. Louis, MO 03/01/2008 Communications/Press $500.00

The Martin Communications Group Kansas City, MO 02/01/2008 Organizational managment $3,000.00

AMS Communications San Francisco, CA 02/13/2008 Design & Printing Service $8,000.00

River City Strategies Jefferson City, MO 2/01/2008 Research $1,000.00

River City Strategies Jefferson City, MO 03/01/2008 Research $1,000.00

Creative Litho Saint Louis, MO 01/08/2008 $1,055.86

Yeah, there’s a bit of research going on. Let’s look at contributions:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: DONNELLY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

Report Date: 04/15/2008

73rd Dist. Democratic Leg St. Louis, MO 63130 03/30/2008 $8,500.00

72nd Legislative District Commitee Saint Louis, MO 63122 03/31/2008 $950.00

66th Legislative Committee Saint Louis, MO 03/14/2008 $300.00

92nd District Democratic Manchester, MO 03/31/2008 $500.00

Jean A. Carnahan Political Action Committee Rolla, MO 65402 03/29/2008 $325.00

72nd Legislative District Commitee Saint Louis, MO 03/29/2008 $4,000.00

31st District Legislative Committee Kansas City, MO 03/28/2008 $35
0.00

24th Senatorial Democratic Committee Saint Louis, MO 03/30/2008 $3,500.00

Eighth Ward Democratic Association St. Louis, MO 03/28/2008 $1,350.00

12. TOTAL ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $25 OR LESS $190.00

13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $17,228.00

Chris Koster filed his first quarter 2008 campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 15th:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $1,379,261.73

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $367,456.00

3. ALL LOANS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $0.00

6. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $226,247.65

7. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS PERIOD (SUM 5A + 6A) $610,385.41

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $1,989,647.14

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $782,438.21

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $1,011,453.89

35. TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 29 + 30 + 31 – 32 – 33 – 34) $200,000.00

[emphasis added]

Uh, that’s serious money.

Let’s take a look at expenditures:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe[e]: MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER

Report[ ]Date: 04/15/2008

Impact Consulting Washington, DC 01/01/2008 Fundraising $4,503.71

58th Democratic Legislative District Committee Saint Louis, MO 01/04/2008 Loan $10,000.00

Impact Consulting Washington, DC 03/01/2008 Fundraising $4,529.97

Brown Printing Jefferson City, MO 02/18/2008 $1,065.77

57th District Legislative Committee Saint Louis, MO 01/04/2008 Loan $10,000.00

LB & Associates Saint Louis, MO 01/06/2008 Fundraising $4,500.00

LB & Associates Saint Louis, MO 03/01/2008 Fundraising $3,681.00

80th Legislative Democratic Committee Florissant, MO 01/04/2008 Loan $10,000.00

The Marion Group, Inc. Centertown, MO 01/02/2008 Consulting $6,500.00

LB & Associates Saint Louis, MO 01/01/2008 Fundraising $1,500.00

The Marion Group, Inc. Centertown, MO 03/01/2008 Consulting $6,500.00

The Marion Group, Inc. Centertown, MO 02/01/2008 Consulting $6,500.00

Almar Printing Kansas City, MO 02/22/2008 Printing $4,750.98

S&B Public Solutions, LLC Washington, DC 01/28/2008 Consulting $12,496.54

Impact Consulting Washington, DC 02/01/2008 Fundraising $4,322.90

What? No research? Let’s take a look at contributions:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER

Report Date: 04/15/2008

12th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 63301 03/31/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

Johnson County Democratic Central Committee Warrensburg, MO 03/28/2008 $1,150.00

135th Democratic Committee Springfield, MO 03/20/2008 $1,750.00

23rd Senatorial District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 03/24/2008 $13,450.00

140th Legislative District Committee Springfield, MO 02/24/2008 $550.00

138th Legislative District Springfield, MO 03/27/2008 $1,100.00

13th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 03/31/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

31st Senate District Democrat Committee Butler, MO 03/29/2008 $1,200.00

140th Legislative District Committee Springfield, MO 65804 03/24/2008 $8,400.00

12th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 03/24/2008 $13,450.00

4th District Senate Committee Saint Louis, MO 03/31/2008 $13,450.00

Newton County Democratic Central Committee Neosho, MO 64850 04/01/2008 $13,450.00

23rd Senatorial District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 04/11/2008 $13,450.00

14th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 63301 03/31/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

30th Senatorial District Democratic Committee Springfield, MO 03/25/2008 $700.00

134th Democratic Committee Springfield, MO 03/21/2008 $1,700.00

13th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 03/24/2008 $13,450.00

8th Senatorial District Democratic Committee Independence, MO 03/24/2008 $785.00

Newton County Democratic Central Committee Neosho, MO 64850 04/01/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

18th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 04/11/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

15th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 03/31/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

13th Democratic Senatorial Committee Saint Louis, MO 03/28/2008 $950.00

18th Senatorial District Democratic Committee Shelbina, MO 03/25/2008 $2,350.00

Buchanan County Democratic Central Committee Saint Joseph, MO 03/29/2008 $8,500.00

102nd Legislative District Democratic Committee Barnhart, MO 03/31/2008 $1,050.00

14th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 63301 03/24/2008 $13,450.00

2nd Senatorial District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 03/31/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

17th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 04/11/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

16th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 03/31/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

94th House District Democratic Committee Saint Louis, MO 03/29/2008 $1,400.00

15th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 63301 03/24/2008 $13,450.00

4th District Senate Committee Saint Louis, MO 03/31/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

Jasper County Democratic Central Committee Carthage, MO 64836 03/27/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

93rd Legislative District Committee Kirkwood, MO 03/29/2008 $1,400.00

72nd Legislative District Committee 825 Cheviot Court Saint Louis, MO 03/29/2008 $13,450.00

16th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 63301 03/24/2008 $13,450.00

129th Legislative District Democratic Committee Joplin, MO 03/26/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

52nd District Legislative Democratic Committee Independence, MO 04/08/2008 $10,450.00 In-Kind

Missouri Democratic 136th Legislative District Springfield, MO 03/24/2008 $13,450.00

Cass County Central Democratic Harrisonville, MO 03/20/2008 $950.00

128th Democratic Legislative District Webb City, MO 03/21/2008 $13,450.00

17th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 03/24/2008 $13,450.00

101st Legislative Democratic Committee Arnold, MO 63010-3965 03/29/2008 $950.00

128th Democratic Legislative District Webb City, MO 03/28/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

45th Legislative District PAC Kansas City, MO 03/25/2008 $1,950.00

Jasper County Democratic Central Committee Carthage, MO 03/28/2008 $13,450.00

19th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 03/24/2008 $13,450.00

Cass County Central Democratic Harrisonville, MO 03/28/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

103rd Legislative District Democratic Committee Festus, MO 03/21/2008 $2,625.00

129th Legislative District Democratic Committee Joplin, MO 03/30/2008 $13,450.00

34th Senatorial District Democratic Committee Saint Joseph, MO 03/30/2008 $750.00

8th District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 03/24/2008 $13,450.00

138th Legislative District Springfield, MO 02/18/2008 $3,650.00

31st Senate District Democrat Committee Butler, MO 03/29/2008 $13,450.00 In-Kind

83rd Legislative District Saint Louis, MO 03/30/2008 $13,450.00

Webster County Democrat Central Committee Marshfield, MO 03/24/2008 $1,000.00

2nd Senatorial District Legislative Committee Saint Charles, MO 03/24/2008 $13,450.00

52nd District Legislative Democratic Committee Independence, MO 03/24/2008 $785.00

Greene County Democratic Central Committee Springfield, MO 03/27/2008 $1,000.00

58th Democratic Legislative District Committee Saint Louis, MO 03/21/2008 $950.00

9. AMOUNT OF ITEM 8 THAT WAS RECEIVED AS MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS $367,426.00

10. AMOUNT OF ITEM 8 THAT WAS RECEIVED AS IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS $226,247.65

12. TOTAL ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $25 OR LESS $30.00

13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $0
.00

[emphasis added]

That’s a lot of committees.

In the interest of full disclosure – I serve as chair [elected] of the 31st Senate District Democratic Committee.

What were those in-kind contributions?:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: CASS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE

ReportDate: 4/15/2008

LUC Media Marietta, GA 03/28/2008 Broadcast and Cable Buy $13,450.00

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: 0031ST SENATE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE

ReportDate: 4/15/2008

LUC Media Marietta, GA 3/29/2008 Media Time $13,450.00

We’re probably going to see a lot of ads on television and cable.

There are a number of individual contributors. Some of those individual contributors “maxed out” and some gave as little as $5.00. The campaign obviously opted to report all contributor information in the detail section of the report.

Mike Gibbons (r) filed his first quarter 2008 campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 15th:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: MISSOURIANS FOR GIBBONS

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $670,751.50

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $158,247.00

3. ALL LOANS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $0.00

6. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $0.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $828,998.50

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $367,926.50

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $440,321.26

[emphasis added]

That’s less cash on hand than everyone else in the race.  Let’s take a look at expenditures:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: MISSOURIANS FOR GIBBONS

ReportDate: 4/15/2008

Capitol Consulting LLC Jefferson City, MO 02/15/2008 fundraising $23,825.92

Capitol Consulting LLC Jefferson City, MO 03/11/2008 fundraising $3,998.50

Barbara Cooper Ballwin, MO 01/16/2008 grassroots development $3,000.00

Barbara Cooper Ballwin, MO 02/18/20008 grassroots development $3,000.00

Barbara Cooper Ballwin, MO 03/21/2008 grassroots development $3,000.00

Brendan Cossette Jefferson City, MO 02/22/2008 public relations & strategic advice $3,000.00

Husch & Eppenberger LLC Saint Louis, MO 01/16/2008 legal fees $2,378.50

Husch & Eppenberger LLC Saint Louis, MO 02/15/2008 legal fees $1,847.80

Public Pulse Research Chesterfield, MO 03/11/2008 polling $4,500.00

The Rocket Group Villa Ridge, MO 63089 03/04/2008 website communications and mileage $9,424.23

Survey St. Louis Saint Louis, MO 63126 02/16/2008 printing grassroots and surveys $6,854.41

Okay, I give up. What is “grassroots development”?

My strategic advice to Mike Gibbons? “Don’t run.” Should I send a bill to his campaign?

Legal fees? I thought that was Matt “baby” blunt’s thing.

Okay, I give up. What is “printing grassroots and surveys”?

Let’s take a look at contributions:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: MISSOURIANS FOR GIBBONS

Report Date: 4/15/2008

129th Republican Legislative District Committee Joplin, MO 03/31/2008 $13,400.00

1st District Committee Saint Louis, MO 63128 03/31/2008 $13,450.00

32nd Senatorial Republican Committee Joplin, MO 03/31/2008 $13,400.00

85th Legislative Dist. Republican Committee Saint Louis, MO 03/31/2008 $13,450.00

Boone Co. Republican Central Committee Drive Columbia, MO 03/31/2008 $2,550.00

Missouri Republican Party Jefferson City, MO 03/31/2008 $13,450.00

Newton County Republican Central Committee Joplin, MO 03/31/2008 $13,400.00

Republican Central Committee of St. Louis County Saint Louis, MO 03/31/2008 $13,450.00

[emphasis added]

Why is everything always at the last minute with republicans? Were they waiting for their end of the month paychecks to clear?

There are a number of big dollar individual contributors in Gibbons’ report.

It’s the world we all live in.