This article firt appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Sept. 8, 2011 - Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder's campaign reports that he collected $160,000 at at a fundraising event Wednesday night featuring Republican consultant/former George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove.
More than 200 people attended the event, which Kinder campaign consultant Jared Craighead billed as "the largest fundraiser the lieutenant governor has ever had in his hometown."
Craighead said that the bulk of the money will show up on Kinder's Oct. 15 campaign finance report; about 25 percent was donated earlier this summer and included in a previous report, the consultant said. The tickets ranged from $250 to $2,500 -- any donor of $1,000 or more got their photo taken with Rove and a signed copy of his latest book.
The host committee featured 100 supporters, with conservative commentator David Limbaugh handling the emcee honors, Craighead said.
"Karl talked about the importance of the gubernatorial race and electing Peter Kinder as the next governor of Missouri," Craighead added. "He also discussed the importance of Missouri in terms of the national landscape, retaking the Senate and electing a Republican to the White House."
Kinder, of course, had a rocky August when controversy erupted over his acquaintance 17 years ago with a stripper. A recent photo of the two appeared in the Riverfront Times, along with the woman's unflattering assertions about Kinder's earlier behavior and latest offers -- which he denies.
That episode is reflected in some of the comments issued later by Missouri Democratic Party spokeswoman Caitlin Legacki, who also took note of an earlier ;controversy this spring over Kinder's state-financed hotel stays, where he was attending official -- and sometimes political -- events.
"The last time Peter Kinder brought Karl Rove to Missouri for a political fundraiser, Kinder was caught making the taxpayers pick up the tab," Legacki said, referring to a 2008 visit by Rove to help Kinder's campaign.
"Kinder is clearly in a sad place these days, but let's just hope the taxpayers were held harmless this time around," she continued. "Despite his claims to the contrary, Peter Kinder seems anxious to get establishment Republicans to support his candidacy - as long as they're willing to overlook his unusual behavior."
Meanwhile, back in St. Louis, Republican congressional candidate Ann Wagner of Ballwin reports that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie -- one of the most sought-after officials in GOP circles --will headline a Sept. 27 fundraising breakfast for her.
The event will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Clayton. Tickets range from $250-$2,500 per person. No perks are listed.
Wagner is competing for the 2nd District congressional seat now held by fellow Republican Todd Akin, who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2012. Her announced rival is St. Louis lawyer Ed Martin.
The official hostess for Wagner's event is her campaign chairwoman, former U.S. Attorney (and former Missouri House Speaker) Catherine Hanaway.
