Jonathan Shorman

News-Leader

Nearly all of one statehouse candidate's campaign cash comes from a single, St. Louis-based donor, finance reports show.

The candidate, Loren Hunt, said he agrees with everything the donor stands for.

Missouri Ethics Commission filings released Tuesday reveal more than 97 percent of Hunt's campaign cash this past quarter came from the Missouri Club for Growth, a political action committee funded almost entirely by St. Louis billionaire Rex Sinquefield.

Hunt, a Republican, is seeking to defeat Rep. Jeff Messenger, R-Republic, in the August 5th primary. He is the only Republican in the Springfield area seeking to oust an incumbent Republican in a statehouse race.

The Club for Growth support comes as the group seeks payback against Messenger for opposing a veto override of an income tax cut last year.

While it has been previously reported the Club for Growth gave Hunt $25,000 in June, it's now clear from Tuesday's filings just how much Hunt has raised and that the Club for Growth donation makes up most of Hunt's available funds.

Hunt received only five donations during the quarter. Beside the Club for Growth donation, Hunt took in two donations of $100, one donation of $500 and one donation of $25.

The Club for Growth is supporting Hunt's campaign after Messenger voted against overriding Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of legislation that contained an income tax cut in 2013 — House Bill 253. Sinquefield, whose ultimate aim is to eliminate the income tax in Missouri, poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into efforts supporting a veto override.

Fifteen Republican lawmakers voted against overriding the veto, however, dooming the override push. They were branded the "Flimsy 15" by detractors and now some are being targeted in their election campaigns by the Club for Growth, which is giving money to the lawmakers' primary opponents.

Beyond giving directly to Hunt, the organization has also been paying for radio ads slamming Messenger's vote.

In an interview, Hunt embraced the Club for Growth and welcomed its support. He said he and the group are "like-minded."

"I'm a true constitutional conservative and I think the key to a lot of our social issues is economic growth and I would agree with everything the Missouri Club for Growth stands for," Hunt said.

Messenger has defended his vote against overriding House Bill 253, saying the legislation had multiple problems. The bill would have eliminated a sales tax exemption on prescription drugs, for example.

This spring, Messenger voted in favor of another income tax cut bill. That bill, Senate Bill 509, was vetoed by Nixon but the General Assembly overrode the veto.

Messenger raised $4,975 during the quarter. Though significantly less than Hunt's haul, when the entire election cycle is considered, Messenger has raised more than $38,000, while Hunt for the entire cycle has pulled in $25,725.

Messenger has also received money from groups outside of the Springfield area, such as the Missouri NEA, but his largest single donation was $1,000.

The 139th District

Jered Taylor, a field representative for U.S. Rep. Billy Long, is coming ahead in the race for the Republican nod in the 139th House district when it comes to fundraising.

Taylor raised $13,395 during the previous quarter, according to newly-released campaign finance reports.

Taylor is running against Clayton Jones and Michael Hope. Hope had the second-biggest haul, with $2,089 raised during the quarter. Jones was a distant third with just $700 raised, though he has received $3,000 in loans.

Of the $2,089 raised by Hope, $1,080 came in the form of in-kind donations from himself.

The 132nd District

Cash has not been flowing in the contest between Republicans Fred Ellison and Shar Lawless for the chance to take on Democratic Rep. Charlie Norr in central Springfield.

Campaign finance reports show Ellison took in just $350 in donations during the previous quarter, and received $1,000 in loans.

Lawless reported $32 in contributions and a $30 loan.