State Sen. Eric Schmitt, R- Glendale, has amassed more than $1.5 million in the bank in his bid to become Missouri’s next state treasurer – a notably hefty campaign war chest aimed in part in unsettling any potential 2016 rivals.
Schmitt provided St. Louis Public Radio with an advanced copy of his latest campaign-finance report, due today with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
His latest report, coupled with one he filed in late July right before the Aug. 5 primary, shows that Schmitt has raised $726, 700 since July 1.
Coupled with his earlier fundraising efforts, Schmitt’s bank account totaled $1.587 million as of September 30, the last day of the reporting period.
That appears to be the largest amount amassed in at least 10 years by any Missouri candidate for a down-ballot statewide race, two years away from an election. (The record excludes candidates for governor or the U.S. Senate, who generally must raise huge sums years in advance.)
So far, no other major candidate in either major party has announced plans to run for treasurer in 2016. Current state Treasurer Clint Zweifel, a Democrat, is completing his second term and can’t run for re-election because of term limits. (Missouri treasurers and governors are limited to two terms.)
Zweifel’s latest campaign report also has been filed. He reported raising only $3,000 during the last three months, and has $193,625 in the bank as of September 30.
Zweifel has yet to indicate whether he plans to seek another office in 2016.
Unlike some of Schmitt’s earlier reports, this one showed no six-figure donations. His largest donation was $25,000 from the Lewis & Clark Ozarks Mountain Forum, a conservative action committee based in Springfield, Mo.
Schmitt’s donors also included a number of law firms and businesses, including developers and health care companies. He even collected $500 from Washington-based Microsoft’s political action committee. The contriburos also included a couple of unions – the Carpenters, Electricians and Laborers – gave Schmitt some money.
