PAC man: Rex helps Hubbard recoup refund
Who says refunds are forever?
After the state Supreme Court reinstated the cap on campaign contributions, State Senate hopeful Rodney Hubbard was one of several candidates forced to return thousands in big checks.
But, thanks to the magic of political action committees, Hubbard was able to recoup much of the money he gave back to a key benefactor, millionaire school-choice enthusiast Rex Sinquefield.
As we have written many times, Sinquefield controls a web of PACs that allows him to continue dropping large amounts of cash in a race, despite the limits on political donations. But instead of giving one large check personal check - as he did when the donation cap was briefly erased - Sinquefield distributes dozens of smaller contributions through his collection of political committees.
The result: Candidates such as Hubbard get the same amount of money from Sinquefield - maybe even more - despite the return of campaign contribution limits.
For instance, the quarterly financial report submitted by Hubbard this week lists a refund to Sinquefield for $30,000. On the same report, however, Hubbard lists more than 50 donations of $675 each made from political committees funded by Sinquefield.
That’s a total of about $35,000, which means that Hubbard actually came out ahead, despite the refund to Sinquefield.
Of course, this play is not unique to Hubbard: Mayor Francis Slay has benefited from corporate donors using the shell corporations and holding companies at their disposal to maximize contributions.
Hubbard’s financial report shows him with about $105,000 on hand, putting him far ahead of at least one rival - State Rep. Connie Johnson, who raised less than $500 this period.
The latest report for Hubbard’s other opponent, State Rep. Robin Wright-Jones, is not available yet.
Hubbard (left) and Sinquefield
There are many many PACs out there that give to politicians…who support their issues. What exactly is the big deal if Rex does it too? Yes, he may be one person, but he is essentially doing the same thing…supporting those that support his issues.
He is a fan of education reform in Missouri…who wouldn’t be? Look at our schools! They are failing! The NEA gives money for lobbying efforts, and they are not even helping the children. They say they are all for the kids, but they are more for the jobs and the control. They are only keeping the children of Missouri from getting the education they need to succeed.
Rex is giving money to people who he feels will help improve the many issues Missouri faces. I am honored to have him move back to the state of Missouri and give us hope! My children attend a failing school in St. Louis. People like Rex seem to be the only hope myself and other parents have that someday our kids will attend schools that are actually educating them and preparing them for the rest of their lives.
He was smart enough to find ways to contribute more. Would people be complaining if the opponents did this…I think not, they would be applauding them.
Hubbard is sellin out city schools and the people of St. Louis.
Jake Wagman,
Your dollar amounts seem to be off and your post seems to miss the full story. There appears to be a total of just over $52,000 from Rex Sinquefield PACs and another $29,000 from PACs affiliated with Paul McKee of Blairmont fame. Hence, almost all of Hubbard’s latest quarter filings came from two sources–one that would like to provide vouchers for students to attend private schools and the other who has engaged in a large scale buyout of property in the 5th District.
Snifftest:
Thanks for your input. My thoughts:
1. I may have missed some Rex PACs — I only included those with the same PO Box.
2. You’re right, there is a lot of McKee money in Hubbard’s report. But, I’ll have to leave that to a future blog post …
Cheers…
I’m sure he’s doing it all for the kids. Must have a soft spot in his heart for developers as well. Mysti, do stay in touch and let us know how kindly Uncle Rex’s wholesale buyout of many high profile representatives, office holders and candidates in Missouri has enured to the benefit of your children by whipping that failing school of theirs into shape by syphoning property tax money out of public schools and into private institutions through vouchers.
Well, Dubious, it is obvious how you feel about vouchers. I disagree with your views. If the state of Missouri realized we need to do some changes around here, I would be able to show you how his beliefs have helped our schools.
However, one cannot question whether Rex has sincere hopes for improving education. He has invested so much money and time into reforming the education system in Missouri…something he gains nothing personally from. From what I have read, he grew up in not the best situations, yet he made it through and succeeded. He wants every child to have that same opportunity. And, although you may disagree on the ways to improve education, you cannot disagree that he cares. People may call him anti-public education, but he is not.
By incorporating some sort of choice, schools will have to improve by way of competition. It seems to work in other areas, and you know what, education systems in our state don’t seem to be doing it on their own.
So before you create some image of Rex only “siphoning property tax money out of public schools and into private institutions through vouchers”, you should look at his thoughts behind this.
I personally agree with his beliefs on education reform. I know something needs to be done and needs to be done now!
Furthermore, if school choice were allowed in Missouri, it would not mean every child would attend private school, thereby putting all public funds there. Children (and their families) would be able to chose another public school as well. Doing this, will make the schools shape up. Do you think its fair that one child gets a great education because of where they live and another child gets a horrible one? I certainly don’t! How can we help them lead a successful life and be successful members of our society when we don’t give them the tools to get there?
Rodney Hubbard is my representative. I have visited his office once, contacted him once by phone and 4 different times by email. On two different issues, that many times, he has NEVER gotten back to me - not even a generic email bounce back saying ‘thank you’ or ‘your comments are important to me.’ I do not care how much money he has for his campaign race - if he is not listening to what is important to HIS constituents now, he won’t as a Senator. That worries me and makes me wonder what his motives are to hold a political position.