The candidates for lieutenant governor have showed that — just like their counterparts higher-up on the ticket — they, too, can collect large checks.

As we have said earlier, the new campaign finance laws that went into affect Aug. 28 allow candidates to collect unlimited campaign contributions.

The catch, though, is they have to report them within 48 hours to the state Ethics Commission.

The contenders squaring off to becoming lieutenant governor have wasted no time taking advantage of the new regulations.

Democrat Sam Page, an anesthesiologist, accepted $30,000 from the Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists, as well as $65,000 from other medical concerns, including $20,000 from his own practice.

Page also took in a $15,000 check from the painters’ union.

Republican incumbent Peter Kinder got about $16,000 from an outfit in Clayton called TDG Cash Management, which is controlled by the Schnucks grocery store family.

Kinder also had help from hotel king Jerry Drury($5,000), Ladue businessman Doug Albrecht ($15,000) and St. Louis venture capatilist William Holekamp. ($25,000).