Trial lawyers kick in for Steelman front committee

What do former Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys President Gary Robb, Joplin personal injury lawyer Ed Hershewe, Kansas City trial attorney Stephen R. Bough, and Kansas City employment and personal injury lawyer Martin Meyers have in common?

During the past three months, all of the people listed above, and more, poured cold, hard cash into Power to the People, a committee which has its treasurer Patrick Horsefield, a law partner of State Treasurer Sarah Steelman's husband, David Steelman. "Power to the People," of course is the slogan for Mrs. Steelman's campaign for governor.

During the first three months of its existence, Power the People funneled more than $50,000 into Mrs. Steelman's campaign, with the over-the-limit contributions sent to legislative district committees, which then relayed them to the Steelman committee, as noted in the July 2 Turner Report.

What is particularly unusual about the Power to the People committee is that it is serving as a circuitous route for people who normally give to the Democratic party to give to Mrs. Steelman, especially trial attorneys, who have been anathema to the Republican party.

The game plan appears to be somewhat different for the second quarter. Though $61,275 was raised by Power to the People, only $1,550 was spent, with that going to 57th Legislative District Republican Committee. Of course, the big bucks in Mrs. Steelman's showdown with Kenny Hulshof have probably been spent since the June 30 end of the reporting period, or are going to be spent.

Those contributing to Power to the People during the second quarter included:

-The Alan and Hope Winters Family Foundation- $15,000 ($30,000 overall this year) Winters has made a maximum contribution to Barack Obama's presidential campaign this year, while Mrs. Winters contributed $1,000 to Emily's List, which normally supports female Democratic candidates.

-Law Offices of Stephen R. Bough, $1,275. Bough's preferred candidates this year have been John Edwards, Al Franken, Kay Barnes, Emanuel Cleaver, Sam Page, Jolie Justus, and Jeff Harris.

-Gary Robb, $5,000

-Anita Robb, $5,000, Mrs. Robb has been recognized by the National Law Journal as one of the top five female trial attorneys in the U. S. She has contributed to Kay Barnes campaign against Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves. Both Robbs contributed to Jay Nixon in 2007.

-Martin Meyers, Kansas City trial attorney, $5,000, has contributed to Sen. Victor Callahan, D-Independence

-Law Offices of Newman, Bronson, & Walls, St. Louis, $10,000

-Hershewe Law Firm, Joplin, $12,500. The Hershewes have also been consistent direct contributors to Mrs. Steelman

-Randy W. James & Associates, personal injury lawyers, Kansas City, $5,000, who has donated to the campaigns of Paul Levota and Sam Page.

-Becky L. Henry, West Plains, attorney, and past contributor to Jean Carnahan and Claire McCaskill. She also has contributed to Jay Nixon.