Globe: Nixon leading in campaign dollars

After years of neglecting coverage of political campaign contributions, the Joplin Globe is to be commended for its decision to write a weekly column, so far handled by either Joe Hadsall or Andy Ostmeyer examining money in politics.

Today's column, written by Hadsall, explores the contributions received by gubernatorial candidates Jay Nixon Kenny Hulshof, and Sarah Steelman. Nixon has the lead, the article notes:

Here’s a breakdown of their fund-raising activity between January and April:

-Hulshof raised $906,683.35 and has spent $174,308.53 so far. Twenty different Republican-party committees made donations of $10,000 or more.

-Steelman raised $1,159,103 and spent $29,457.69. Twenty-five Republican-party committees made donations of more than $10,000.

-Nixon raised $1,483,649.72 and has spent $521,691.92.

Though he came in first, the two Republicans combined raised more than Nixon. It’s likely that whoever the Republican candidate is will have no problem keeping pace with Nixon, erasing any perceived financial advantage.

While the column is interesting, it perpetuates the problem with most coverage of campaign fundraising- there is no information about where this money is coming from? This is more horse race journalism. Who has the most money, who has the most momentum?

What is lacking is a close examination of what special interests are pouring money into Jay Nixon, Kenny Hulshof, and Sarah Steelman.

The column mentions the amount of money the candidates are receiving through district committees, but who is contributing the money to these district committees? Hopefully, the Globe plans such an examination.

I might also suggest that while a weekly column on the subject is a step in the right direction, money in politics is a story that deserves far more coverage and should be not be relegated to one day a week.