Ruestman has $79,000+ in bank for Newton County presiding commissioner run

The quarterly disclosure report filed this week by term-limited Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, shows she received $93,054.47 in contributions for her run for Newton County presiding commissioner. Of that amount, 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 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.

Mrs. Ruestman paid $3,049 to Phillips-Ward and Associates, Joplin, for advertising, $3,127.76 to Victory Enterprises, Davenport, Iowa, for signs and literature. Another $1,000 went to Running D Products, Girard, Kan. for "consulting."

What that consulting is isn't quite clear since Running D designs hat and cap products, including hat racks. The Running D website does note, however, that "other products and services (include) Video East and West, Verizon Wireless, UPS shipping, Opie's Pizza, and payday loans."