We received the following press release:

Patty Johnson Announces Candidacy for State Representative

Alderman Bobby Davidson and Lyle Gregory Join Patty at campaign kick-off

BELTON – Raymore attorney Patty Johnson announced today that she is seeking the Democratic nomination for State Representative in the 123rd district, which encompasses Belton and Raymore in Cass County. Patty owns her own firm in Raymore and she works as a guardian ad litem for children and as a family law mediator.

“As a small business owner and the daughter of a farmer, I understand the value of hard work and see first-hand the problems and difficulties facing families in our community.  Our families need a voice for common sense and I will be that voice,” said Johnson.

Belton Alderman Bobby Davidson and Raymore attorney Lyle Gregory joined Johnson as she kicked-off her campaign on Main Street in Belton.

“It is time for new leadership in state government.  Patty will put working families first over special interests as our State representative and that’s why I’m proud to support her,” said Bobby Davidson.

“Given Patty’s community leadership and her commitment to helping families in need, she is absolutely the best choice as our next State Representative,” said Lyle Gregory.

Patty serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Hope Haven, Cass County’s Domestic Violence Shelter, and she is Secretary for Bel-Ray Sunrise Lions Club.  Patty and her husband Jerry are actively involved in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Raymore.

###

The 123rd Legislative District covers northwest Cass County immediately south of Jackson County. The seat is currently held by republican Chris Molendorp who is in his first term. By Representative Molendorp’s (r) list of bill sponsorship we see that he’s interested in insurance, all kinds of ethics reform, and he’s a “tenther”.

Looking at Molendorp’s fourth quarter 2009 campaign finance report, filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission in January, we see :

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: FRIENDS OF CHRIS MOLENDORP

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $8,650.00

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $8,500.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $17,150.00

25. MONEY ON HAND AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (INCLUDING FUNDS IN DEPOSITORY, CASH, SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND ALL OTHER INVESTMENTS) $2,270.29

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $9,016.68

[emphasis added] That’s some burn rate.

And where did Molendorp’s contributions come from?:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: FRIENDS OF CHRIS MOLENDORP

Report Date: 1/11/2010

A. ITEMIZED CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM COMMITTEES REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT, OR FROM PERSONS GIVING MORE THAN $100 TO A COMMITTEE.

RightCHOICE Managed Care, Inc.  Cincinnati, OH 12/11/2009 $1,000.00

Gene A. Molendorp Peculiar, MO retired 10/31/2009 $500.00

CHC of Kansas  KCMO 10/30/2009 $150.00

MO Optometric Assn Jefferson City, MO 10/30/2009 $200.00

GKC MO Dental PAC Jefferson City, MO 11/17/2009 $250.00

MO Correctional Officers Assoc Jefferson City, MO 10/12/2009 $300.00

Friends of Vicky Hartzler Harrisonville, MO 10/13/2009 $250.00

MO Assn of Insurance & Financial Advisors PAC Jefferson City, MO 10/12/2009 $500.00

Wal-Mart, Inc. Bentonville, AR 12/31/2009 $250.00

NRA Political Victory Fund Fairfax, VA 12/31/2009 $250.00

MO Assn of Municipal Utilities Columbia, MO 12/05/2009 $150.00

American Family Insurance MO PAC St. Joseph, MO 12/04/2009 $350.00

RGA Reinsurance Company Chesterfield, MO 12/31/2009 $300.00

Terry Reardon Village of Loch Lloyd, MO  retired 11/23/2009 $1,000.00

ATT Missouri Employee Political Action Committee St. Louis, MO 11/16/2009 $200.00

Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. St. Louis, MO 11/13/2009 $500.00

MO ASSN of Nurse Anesthetists PACJefferson City, MO 11/15/2009 $325.00

Long Term Care Leadership PAC Jefferson City, MO 12/28/2009 $1,000.00

Missouri Independent Banker Assn PAC  Liberty, MO 11/23/2009 $325.00

( 8. TOTAL: ITEMIZED CONTRIBUTIONS THIS PERIOD : $7,800.00 )

Vicky Hartzler? That ‘s all you need to know.

So much for the grass rootsie feel of the rest. And what’s with the dental PAC?

HB 1588 Changes the penalty for any person practicing dentistry or dental hygiene without a license

Sponsor: Molendorp, Chris (123) Proposed Effective Date: 08/28/2010

CoSponsor: LR Number: 4286L.01I

Last Action: 01/13/2010 – Read Second Time (H)

HB1588

Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled

Calendar: Bill currently not on a calendar

Can you picture some kid in Belton at bedtime when he’s told to go brush his teeth replying, “But Representative Molendorp introduced a bill making it a felony to practice dental hygiene without a license. I don’t have my license yet…”

HB 1620 Prohibits any contract between a health insurer and a dentist from requiring the dentist to provide services in a dental plan at a fee established by the insurer if the services are not covered in the plan

Sponsor: Molendorp, Chris (123) Proposed Effective Date: 08/28/2010

CoSponsor: Swinger, Terry (162) LR Number: 4285L.01I

Last Action: 01/14/2010 – Read Second Time (H)

HB1620

Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled

Calendar: Bill currently not on a calendar

A twofer! Dentistry and Insurance!

Let’s look election result from that 2008 open seat election:

Official Election Returns

State of Missouri General Election  – 2008 General Election

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

As announced by the Board of State Canvassers

on Tuesday, December 02, 2008

State Representative – District 123 – Summary

Precincts Reporting 18 of 18

Molendorp, Chris REP 11,643 56.2%

Alonzo, Juan I. DEM 9,058 43.8%

Total Votes   20,701

This race is doable.

Juan Alonzo (D) is facing Chris Mollendorp (r) in an open seat race. We’ve written about the race in the 123rd Legislative District before:

123rd Legislative District – first quarter campaign finance reports

The current representative in the 123rd, Brian Baker (r) (Is he running for office somewhere?), appears to have the time and the luxury to contribute to David Pearce’s whining in the 31st Senate District race.

Party switch dogs candidate in Missouri Senate race

By DONALD BRADLEY

The Kansas City Star

…But Baker has a problem with Benjamin running as a Democrat in the same election cycle in which he was advising Republican candidates.

“It comes across as very unprofessional,” Baker said.

tiny URL

But, I digress.

Let’s take a look at Chris Molendorp’s (r) report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission on September 4th:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe[e]: FRIENDS OF CHRIS MOLENDORP

Report[ ]Date:

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $34,091.55

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $2,250.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $36,341.55

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $19,852.82

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $15,749.90

[emphasis added]

Where has Molendorp’s money come from?:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: FRIENDS OF CHRIS MOLENDORP

Report Date: 9/4/2008

Missouri Assoc. of Homes for the Aging PAC Jefferson City, MO 08/25/2008 $325.00

MAPAC Jefferson City, MO 08/08/2008 $325.00

Aquila, Inc. Kansas City, MO 08/08/2008 $325.00

Coventry Management Services, Inc. Bethesda, MD 08/12/2008 $250.00

Cass County Republican Central Committee Harrisonville, MO 08/12/2008 $325.00

NFIB-Missouri Jefferson City, MO 08/23/2008 $325.00

13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $75.00

[emphasis added]

Can’t you just feel all that grass roots magic?

What did he spend all that money on?:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: FRIENDS OF CHRIS MOLENDORP

ReportDate: 9/4/2008

Chris Molendorp reimbursement $19.49

signage supplies $37.96

Lions Club hole sponsor $100.00

Hope Haven donation $100.00

Fuel to summer caucus $91.22

Captains meeting food and beverages $36.91

Raymore Peculiar Band Boosters Peculiar, MO 08/14/2008 program ad $120.00

RS Diecast Belton, MO 08/05/2008 booth rental/sponsor $250.00

Tan-Tar-A Lake Ozark, MO 08/10/2008 HRCC Summer Caucus hotel $238.58

Golf. A lake resort. $91.22 for fuel (gas?) to drive to a resort. Hmm. How’s that $4.00 a gallon gas workin’ out for ya?

Let’s contrast that with Juan Alonzo’s (D) report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission on September 4th:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe[e]: CITIZENS FOR ALONZO

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $16,202.74

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $2,702.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $19,124.74

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $7,400.85

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $10,274.26

[emphasis added]

Hmmm. republicans usually have a bigger money advantage.

Let’s look at who made contributions:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: CITIZENS FOR ALONZO

Report Date: 9/4/2008

Tyros, Inc Raymore, MO Land Holding 07/28/2008 $100.00

United Steelworkers, Local # 13 Independence, MO  07/28/2008 $100.00

…and itemized individual contributions ranging in amounts from $50.00 to $1000.00 (that one made on August 29th).

The expenditures:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: CITIZENS FOR ALONZO

ReportDate: 9/4/2008

Meals $68.00

Newspaper ad $57.50

Belton Star Herald Belton, MO 07/25/2008 Advertisment $157.50

My Campaign Store Jeffersonville, IN 08/26/2008 Campaign Materials $425.10

Raymore Chamber of Commerce Raymore, MO 08/29/2008 Golf Tourny Sponser $200.00

Golf. What is it with golf? Advertising. Campaign chum?

The 123rd Legislative District in Cass County is an open seat. It is currently held by Brian Baker (r).

State Representative – District 123

Republican

Chris Molendorp Belton MO 2/26/2008 9:46:55 AM

Democratic

Juan I. Alonzo  Raymore MO 3/7/2008 12:56:14 PM

Who are these folks?:

Chris Molendorp (r) was a “Small Business for Talent”. That tells us a lot, and gives us plenty of opportunity for mischievous puns.

…Chris Moltendorp, LUTCF owns his own insurance agency and is President of the Belton chamber of commerce. In 2003, Ingram’s Monthly Business Magazine in Kansas City named him one of the 40 under 40 . He is a 1991 graduate of the University of Missouri and is also the President of the Bel-Ray Sunrise Lions Club. …

And Juan Alonzo (D) is currently Mayor of Raymore, MO:

Mayor Juan I. Alonzo

First elected to the City Council in 1999, re-elected to a second term in April of 2001.

Elected as Mayor Pro Tem by the Council.  April 2002.

Became Acting Mayor upon the resignation of the Mayor.

Elected to serve a one year unexpired Term in April 2003.

Re-elected to a three year Term in April 2004.

Member Board of Directors:

Mid-American Regional Council (MARC)

Raymore Chamber of Commerce

Raymore-Peculiar Public School Foundation.

Member:

Mayor’s Advisory Board for the Little Blue Valley Sewer District.

Middle Big Creek Sewer District, Advisory Board (Chairman).

Served on Planning and Zoning Commission for three years.

Member of the Taskforce that created the Road Excise Tax program.

Lay Eucharistic Minster at Saint Sabina Catholic Church.

Club affiliations:

American Legion

Raymore Lions Club

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, Management and Human Resources, Mid American Nazarene College

Masters of Arts, Computer Resources and Information Systems Management, Webster University

Graduate of the Missouri Municipal Leadership Program, Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri, Columbia

Mayor Alonzo and his family have lived in Raymore for 13 years.  Arriving in the  fall of 1991, when he was assigned to the Marine Corps Support Activity, in Kansas City.  Retired from the Marine Corps in 1994 after 20 years of Active duty.  Currently works with Waddell & Reed, in Overland Park, as a Systems Development Team Manager.   He and his wife of 30 years, the former Bessie Quesada of Uvalde, Texas, have three sons, one granddaughter and a second grandchild on the way.  Bessie serves the community as a member of the Mayor’s Economic Host Team and is on the Raymore Family Week Program committee.  

tiny URL

That’s quite an impressive resume.

Let’s take a look at previous elections, starting with 2006:

State of Missouri General Election  – November 2006 – General Election

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

State Representative – District 123 – Summary

Precincts Reporting 18 of 18

Baker, Brian L. REP 11,342 100.0%

Total Votes   11,342

Okay, he ran unopposed.

State of Missouri General Election

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

State Representative – District 123 – Summary

Precincts Reporting 18 of 18

Gregory, Lyle DEM 6,693 37.3%

Baker, Brian L. REP 11,269 62.7%

Total Votes   17,962

Okay, he didn’t run unopposed in 2004. Did you notice that he only managed to increase his total vote by 73 votes in 2006? I suspect there were quite a few Democratic Party voters who sat on their hands. Hmmm. Will 2008 be a presidential election year? Why yes. Will turnout increase? Yes. Does it look like it could be a Democratic wave? We’ll have to see.

State of Missouri General Election  – 11/5/2002

Tuesday, November 05, 2002

State Representative – District 123 – Summary

Hensley, Teresa DEM 5,528 47.9%

Baker, Brian L. REP 6,013 52.1%

Total Votes   11,541

My, oh my. This is what happens when you have a very good candidate, a smart campaign, and you raise the cash. 2002 was not a particularly great year for Democratic Party candidates and this one was decided by less that 500 votes (Teresa Hensley is now the Cass County prosecutor).

Brian Baker is not term limited yet:

Rep. Brian Baker

94th General Assembly

Rep. Brian Baker, a Republican, represents part of Cass County (District 123) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to the House in November 2002 …

Aha. He’s running for North Commissioner in Cass County, apparently unopposed.

State of Missouri General Election

Tuesday, November 07, 2000

State Representative – District 123 – Summary

Hartzler, Ed REP 13,378 100.0%

Total Votes   13,378

[That’s no relation to Vicki.]

Very interesting. The election after the incumbent leaves (as in 2002) could be a close one.

Especially with a competitive candidate.

Especially with a lousy political environment for republicans.

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

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committee[e]: FRIENDS OF CHRIS MOLENDORP

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED  $24,679.95

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD  $3,480.60

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $28,160.55

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $4,966.09

25. MONEY ON HAND AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (INCLUDING FUNDS IN DEPOSITORY, CASH, SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND ALL OTHER INVESTMENTS) $21,557.28

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $22,830.63

[emphasis added]

So, where did the money come from?:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: FRIENDS OF CHRIS MOLENDORP

Report Date: 4/15/2008

Heritage Companies Belton, MO 03/31/2008 $100.00

Liberty Mutual Dover, NH 03/04/2008 $325.00

Missouri Health Care Association Jefferson City, MO 03/04/2008 $325.00

Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP St. Louis, MO 03/20/2008 $325.00

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company St. Louis, MO 03/24/2008 $325.00

Molendorp Appraisals, Inc Raymore, MO 03/31/2008 $325.00

Eagle Door Supply, Inc. Kansas City, MO 64130 03/31/2008 $100.00

BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas City Kansas City, MO 01/15/2008 $325.00

Belton Associates, LLC Overland Park, KS 01/20/2008 $175.00

Andrew J Black Arlington, VA External Affairs Dir, Federal Energy Regulatory Committee 01/25/2008 $100.00

James Swope Lee’s Summit, MO State Dir, Farmers Insurance Group 01/13/2008 $325.00

[emphasis added]

Hmmm. You think there’s a little corporate-like insurance contributing going on here?

Well, let’s take a look at the fourth quarter 2007 contributions:

Detailed Summary of Contributions An
d Loans Received

Committee: FRIENDS OF CHRIS MOLENDORP

Report Date: 1/14/2007

William C Kirgan St. James, MO self-employed insurance agent 10/04/2007 $100.00

MO Association of Nurse Anesthetists Politcal Action Committee Jefferson City, MO 10/27/2007 $325.00

Debra Howerton Chilhowee, MO Homemaker 10/29/2007 $100.00 [any relation to Jim? Uh, yep.]

Realtors Political Action Comm-Missouri Columbia, MO 10/27/2007 $325.00

Cox Law Office, LLC Raymore, MO 12/31/2007 $175.00 [Did he run against Teresa Hensley for Cass County Prosecutor in 2006?]

Missouri Physical Therapy Association PAC Chesterfield, MO 11/07/2007 $325.00

Citizens for Bryan T. Pratt Blue Springs, MO 12/31/2007 $325.00

106th Legislative District GOP Committee Farmington, MO 11/28/2007 $500.00

David Pearce Warrensburg, MO 11/20/2007 $325.00 [Yes, the advocate of automotive deer hunting

Jeffrey L David Insurance Agency, Inc Gladstone, MO 10/06/2007 $100.00

Citizens for Dusenberg Blue Springs, MO 11/05/2007 $300.00

Friends of Vicky Hartzler Harrisonville, MO 10/09/2007 $100.00 [There’s that unintentional irony again. If Vicki Hartzler is giving him money, he ain’t no “moderate”.]

American Family Political Action Committee St. Joseph, MO 11/07/2007 $325.00

Friends of Tilley Perryville, MO 11/28/2007 $325.00

Mark One Electric Co., Inc. Kansas City, MO 12/12/2007 $325.00

Julie Buell Raymore, MO State Farm Insurance Agency, Raymore 12/04/2007 $100.00

Kenny Teague Springfield, MO self employed insurance agent 12/28/2007 $100.00

Farmers Group, Inc. Olathe, KS 12/20/2007 $325.00

Allicance For Higher Education Jefferson City, MO 12/15/2007 $325.00

[emphasis added, comments in italics]

Insurance!

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

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: CITIZENS FOR ALONZO

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED  $4,105.00

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD  $3,305.00

3. ALL LOANS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $0.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $7,650.00

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $1,263.11

25. MONEY ON HAND AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (INCLUDING FUNDS IN DEPOSITORY, CASH, SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND ALL OTHER INVESTMENTS) $3,374.44

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $5,981.89

[emphasis added]

What has he spent the money on?:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committee[e]: CITIZENS FOR ALONZO

Report{ }Date: 3/15/2008

A. EXPENDITURES OF $100 OR LESS BY CATEGORY

Postage $123.00

Stationary $15.65

( 7. TOTAL: NON-ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES THIS PERIOD: $138.65 )

B. ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES ALL OVER $100 AND ALL PAYMENTS TO CAMPAIGN WORKERS

Cass Gagette Belton, MO 02/12/2008 $603.90

( 14. TOTAL: ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES THIS PERIOD: $603.90 )

This one could be fun.