Stenger raises more than $241,000 while winning St. Louis County Council seat
Stenger
Steve Stenger, the Democratic candidate for St. Louis County Council member from the 6th District, has raised $241,320.28 in his successful bid for the seat. On Nov. 4, he defeated Councilman John Campisi, R-south St. Louis County, who was seeking a third term.
Stenger, a lawyer living in Affton, was among candidates who filed reports on their campaign finances 30 days after the election, as state law requires.
In a reporting period between Oct. 28 and Thursday, Stenger raised $13,425. He received a donation of $2,500 from the Stone, Leyton & Gershman law firm of Clayton. The Building Trades Political Education Fund contributed as did several other skilled trades unions and Democratic Party organizations.
Stenger reported spending $214.443.37 thus far and $13,094.20 in the reporting period. Most of the money in the reporting period went to Phase 3 Inc., his campaign consultant.
Stenger lent $150,000 to his campaign; the committee has repaid none of the loan.
Campisi reported raising $23,968.93 and spending $24,962.22 in this election. In a reporting period of Oct. 24 to Nov. 29, Campisi raised $6.845.65 and spent $16,150.23.
Among contributors were developers McBride and Son Management Co. and Mayer Custom Homes. Most of his spending was for printing.
In the 4th District, Councilman Mike O’Mara, D-Florissant, who won a third term reported raising $11,200 and spending $4,500 in this election. In a reporting period from Oct. 24 to Nov. 29, he raised $1,550 and spent $4,500.
O’Mara received a donation from the North County Labor Legislative Club. Most of his spending went to Roman Communications for campaign consulting.
Eugene Dokes, the Republican candidate for the seat, reported spending nothing in a reporting period from Oct. 29 to Nov. 13. Theo “Ted” Brown Sr., the Libertarian candidate, said he neither raised nor spent more than $500.
Council Chairwoman Kathleen Kelly Burkett, D-Overland, who was unopposed, said she raised $500 in this election and spent $1,798.84.
So the Democrat outspent the Republican by more than 8 to 1, and most of it from unions, lawyers, and politicians. But somehow this is a good thing - right?
Doesn’t it bother anyone that almost a quarter of a million dollars was necessary to buy… er, um … win ONE county council seat in St. Louis County??
Hey Nick,
So once the Dems raise more money than the Repo’s and you want to complain about it. Big business fronts all the Repo’s and thats ok but labor unions donate money towards candidates that will help their cause and you are crying foul. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw rocks.
I have no issue with the Democrats raising more than the Republicans, just with how it is raised. I haven’t actually looked at his financial disclosures, but if Obama’s fundraising was as reputed - numerous small contributions from individuals from all walks of life - then he has truly accomplished a wonderful thing.
Those who accept money from people who are receiving legislative favor - whether Democrats like William Jefferson, or Republicans like Ted Stevens - are despicable. Those who take large checks from special interests whom they will favor while in office aren’t much better.
I’m not registered with Stenger’s party, and I did not donate to either campaign. I had no intention of voting for Campisi. I appreciated the information that was put out by Stenger’s campaign, because it was helpful in researching him as a candidate. I may have not voted in that race at all (I won’t vote “against” someone by voting for the other candidate, but will do so by not voting at all), but the information provided was enough to help in my research to feel comfortable voting for Stenger, so I did. I wish him well, and hope that he does as he claims he will do. Or next time, no amount of money is going to help him. I think Campisi figured that one out, too.
As a side note, Stenger raised $91,320 from outside sources, but only spent $64,443 of that. Campisi spent $24,962, and some of that was likely from his own pocket. For granted, Stenger spent $150,000 that he loaned his own campaign. Ultimately, Stenger spent a lot, but it was his own money. I’m okay with that. The real question is, how does a first-timer raise 3 1/2 times more from outside sources than a sitting incumbent with high name recognition? I think that says something about the incumbent.