Joyce has been elected four times, drawing an opponent only the first time, in 1994. This year, she is the only circuit judge in the state facing a general election opponent. She declined Wednesday to be interviewed about the campaign.

Her finance report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission on Wednesday showed that as of Sept. 30, she had raised $41,662 and spent $24,960. She reported $17,086 on hand.

Lobbyist James Harris, who has advocated changes in the state’s nonpartisan court plan, has called on Joyce to return $14,000 in contributions she received from attorneys who practice before her. Doerhoff said rules of judicial ethics permited such contributions.

Doerhoff has called on Stumpe to return the GOP committee’s $100,000, saying it violates the spirit of Missouri’s campaign finance law, which bars concealing the identity of the donor.

Stumpe has said little about his newfound largesse.

In a brief interview at Jefferson City Municipal Court last week, Stumpe said the contribution had been a surprise. He said he had no time to talk but to call his cellphone later. His voice mail box was full.