This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Jan. 17, 2012 - Still without a Republican opponent, Attorney General Chris Koster has more than $1,286,000 cash on hand for his re-election bid later this year.
Koster, a Democrat who was a Republican until 2007, brought in $137,075 during the final fundraising quarter of 2011 and spent $106,349.24. (Click here to view his report.)
Included in the tally was a $15,000 donation from St. Louis attorney Andrew O'Brien, $7,500 from Pfizer and $5,000 from the Microsoft Corp. PAC.
As of Dec. 31, Koster reports having $1,286,789.70 of cash on hand.
This campaign could end up being much more tranquil for the Harrisonville native than in 2008.
After leaving the Republican Party in 2007, Koster plunged into a competitive -- and at times contentious -- primary with three other Democratic candidates. After narrowly winning that campaign, he eventually prevailed in the general election over then-Senate President ProTem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood.
So far, despite various speculations, no Republican has declared plans to face Koster this fall.
Jason Rosenbaum, a freelance journalist in St. Louis, covers state and local politics and government.