The Senate's Gubernatorial Appointments Committee approved the Farber nomination today. It is likely to be voted on by the full Senate Thursday.
Farber's consistent top-dollar contributions to Governor Matt Blunt's campaign account, first noted in the March 19 Turner Report, reached an even greater amount $50,000 on March 4, just two weeks prior to Farber's nomination to the Highway Commission.
(Farber) said Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, approached him last fall about potentially serving on the commission before he received a call from Blunt asking him to consider the position.
"One of the things I don't do is I don't go to politicians and say I want A, B and C," Farber said while explaining he neither sought out the post nor expected anything from his contribution.
Nodler described Farber as an "extremely generous individual" -- to politicians, charities, industrial development and various community causes.
"He never asks for anything in return," Nodler said. "That is something unusual for a large benefactor."
Farber was questioned about his contribution to Blunt by Senate Minority Leader Maida Coleman, D-St. Louis, who didn't object to his confirmation but remained somewhat skeptical after Farber's answers.
"I don't necessarily believe that Mr. Farber sought the appointment with the contribution," Coleman said, "but I do believe it's much easier to give a large contribution once a governor has appointed you to a commission" or expressed an interest in doing so."
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