Rep. Shannon Cooper, R-Blairstown, and Rep. Steve Hunter, R-Joplin, joined the Missouri House of Representatives on the same day in January 2001 and they will leave at the same time, thanks to term limits.
The two men have their similarities, which have been explored numerous times in The Turner Report, including a love for lobbyists' gifts, especially from lobbyists representing casino interests.
As I noted in the March 18, 2006, Turner Report, Cooper contributed $200 to Steve Hunter's wife, Rita, in 2004 for her successful campaign for Jasper County public administrator.
Now, Mrs. Hunter is seeking re-election and once again, Cooper has opened his checkbook. In fact, this time it appears three contributions to the Hunter campaign can be traced to Cooper. One, which was pointed out in the July 15, 2008, Turner Report, came from C. S. Cooper, at the same post office box as Shannon Cooper in Blairstown. That contribution was only for $100, but Hunter's quarterly disclosure form, filed Tuesday with the Missouri Ethics Commission also shows a $300 contribution from Duckhead LLC, 907 S. 3rd, Clinton (which is a Cooper address) and $325 from Walls General Store, Blairstown, which is owned by Cooper, for a total of $725.
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Mrs. Hunter's disclosure form also shows at least $4,000 coming from the nursing home industry, in addition to the $3,825 she received from legislators.
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As Mrs. Hunter's campaign appears to be flush with cash, the same cannot be said for her competitors in next month's GOP primary.
Monty Morgan reports that he received $3,300 during the past three months, but all of the month came from Morgan himself. He has spent $1,319.60 on Joplin Globe ads, and $953.11 for yard signs, for his biggest expenses.
The third candidate in the race is Angie Casavecchia Ashens, who has the support of former Jasper County Public Administrator Janice Tucsinger and Gretchen Copeland, Carl Junction, who was an unsuccessful candidate in 2004.
Mrs. Ashens received $3,533.50 and spent $3,113.07 during the second quarter, leaving her with $1,740.189 on hand or in her war chest as the Joplin Globe calls it.
Her largest contribution, $650, came from Ms. Long. She also received $600 from Donna Jo Kester, Carthage, and found various creative ways to raise funds, including a yard sale that brought in $511.45.
Mrs. Ashens' biggest expenditures were: $1,117.50 to Zimmer Radio, $691.12 for printing, and $383.40 to the Joplin Globe.
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During the second quarter, Mrs. Hunter only spent $585.14, not counting the $6,000 in contributions the report says she returned to two legislative district committees.
That should go up dramatically during her next report, since she has conducted a telephone campaign this month.
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