Hunter takes out $7,000 loan for public administrator race, pours close to $15,000 into advertising

Jasper County Public Administrator Rita Hunter has spent nearly $15,000 in advertising since the first of July, according to her eight day before election report, filed today with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Mrs. Hunter reported receiving $12,375 during that time period, with $7,000 coming in the form of a three-month loan to herself, according to the Ethics Commission documents.

The Hunter campaign spent $8,000 in two $4,000 installments with the Joplin advertising firm of Phillips, Ward, and Associates, most likely for the television advertisements which have been blanketing the airwaves. Past Ethics Commission documents indicate Mrs. Hunter's husband, Rep. Steve Hunter, R-Joplin, has been employed by the firm.

Mrs. Hunter also spent $205 with Mornin' Mail, Carthage; $200 with The Carthage Press, $709 with Carthage Broadcast; and $5,711.25 with Victory Enterprises, Davenport, Iowa, for mailers and advertising.

Among those contributing to the Hunter campaign:

Citizens for Barney Fisher, $100; Friends of Tilley, $350; St. Charles Organization of Republicans, $675; Cornerstone Health Care, Rogers, Ark., $425; Christian Hospice, Springfield, $425; Senior Care Pharmacy, Joplin, $675; Northport Health Services, $675.

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Mrs. Hunter has two primary opponents, Angie Casavecchia Ashens and Monty Morgan. Morgan has not filed his report as of this moment. Mrs. Ashens has received $2,529 since the first of the month, and has spent $2,009.01. Contributors include Cindy Rogers, Carthage, $600; Don Johnson, Carl Junction, $650; James Long, Carl Junction, $650.

Mrs. Ashens spent $827.50 with the Joplin Globe, $609.59 with R. D.'s Printing, Joplin, and $420 with M&M Signs.