Ruestman campaign has $57,000 plus in bank

Local contributions keyed a $7,500 fundraising quarter for Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, who now has $57,064.90 in her account. Her challenger Democrat Ben Carnahan, Neosho, collected $2,586 during the quarter and spent $817.80, leaving him with $1,768.20.
Among those from whom Ms. Ruestman received the maximum $325 contribution were: David and Debra Humphreys, TAMKO, Ethelmae Humphreys, Hunte Corporation, Realtors PAC, Citizens for Bearden, her former boss Congressman Mel Hancock, and NB Inc., better known as NutraBlend, a Moark company that has contributed to Ms. Ruestman in the past.
Most of the money spent by Ms. Ruestman went to two campaign workers, with Dustin Storm receiving $431 and Jonathan Russell receiving $326.22. A $200 contribution was made to the Committee to Elect Joye Helm, according to the Ethics Commission document.
Carnahan's biggest contributor at $1,000 was the Missouri Democratic Party. He received $325 contributions from Carpenters Local 311, Joplin; and Vernon Pogue, Neosho.
Carnahan's spending went for campaign supplies, including $407.25 to Sooner Printing, Miami, Okla., for envelopes and postcards, $199.64 to the U. S. Postal Service for postage, and $130.46 to Office Max, Joplin, for miscellaneous supplies.