Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Kevin Wilson contributes $2,000 to Ball for Newton County presiding commissioner

Term-limited Rep. Kevin Wilson, R-Neosho, served four two-year terms alongside Marilyn Ruestman.

That probably explains why he is supporting former Neosho Daily News and Carthage Press editor Buzz Ball for Newton County presiding commissioner. Ball's quarterly disclosure report, filed July 1 with the Missouri Ethics Commission shows Wilson's campaign committee, Friends of Kevin Wilson, has contributed $2,000, $1,000 contributions June 12 and June 17, to Ball's campaign.

The Wilson money made up more than half of the $3,775 the Ball campaign raised during the last quarter, according to the report. Of that total, Ball spent $3,069.48, leaving him with $705.52 as of June 30.

The report indicates Ball received a $250 contribution from Kenneth Dwyer, Neosho, and $200 contributions from Jane Murray, Diamond, and Susan Jackson, Neosho. Another $615 was collected during an April 24 fundraiser at the Newton County Fairgrounds.

Financially, Ball face a steep uphill battle since Mrs. Ruestman's disclosure report shows she had almost $80,000 in the bank as of the end of June.

Mrs. Ruestman received $93,054.47 in contributions during the last quarter. She spent $12,985.33, leaving her with $79,718.64.


Of that total, $91,804 came from two Ruestman accounts- $91,349.47 from her state representative campaign account, collected from donors during times when she had token or no opposition for re-election to her state representative post, and $400 from a group called Citizens for Taxpayer Relief, Joplin, which has as its treasurer Mrs. Ruestman's husband, Richard, according to Missouri Ethics Commission documents.

In addition to the money Mrs. Ruestman has been able to spend on advertising, she receives free space from Newton County newspapers for her weekly Ruestman Report. It would seem only fair that the newspapers that run Mrs. Ruestman's weekly column, should also provide a similar amount of space, free of charge, to Buzz Ball and Rick McCulley.

The offer of free space on this blog for the candidates to provide their views on issues is still in effect.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

This may be the most sensible thing Wilson has done in public service.

He knows how much of a windbag she is producing hot air from two sources and no legislative record for drawing a paycheck for 8 years.

Anonymous said...

Wilson has yet to do anything sensible and this is probably his next-to-worst move ever.

Anyone who really knows the man Wilson is supporting understands.

If you ever did any kind of business with this candidate, you know what I mean.

Anonymous said...

Wizzon is supporting Goodman. Does that mean Ruestis is supporting Long?

Anonymous said...

If we HAVE to have a Republican in this office, at least let it be a woman. Marilyn would have my vote if I lived there and voted Republican.