This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, July 15, 2013: Just months after his record-setting re-election, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay appears to have amassed another hefty campaign bank account that’s among the largest for top Missouri Democrats.
Slay, who has begun a fourth four-year term, reported $413,231 in the bank as of June 30. That’s more than twice what he reported on hand four years ago, after winning his third term.
Slay’s report, filed Monday, showed receipts totalling $170,067, and expenditures of $117,887.
His spending included $15,000 to state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, for “campaign visibility.” Slay consultant Richard Callow said the money was for Nasheed’s efforts during the mayor’s re-election campaign earlier this year.
“Jamilah was a strategist and actual executor of the campaign’s effort to increase its visibility citywide among a variety of constituent groups and voters,’’ Callow said. “This had nothing to do with her office or as a member of the Missouri General Assembly."
Dooley outpaces Stenger in money raised, but not in bank
Meanwhile, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley – a fellow Democrat who is preparing for a fourth campaign of his own in 2014 – was raising money at an even faster clip in recent months.
Dooley’s report showed him with $336,542 in the bank, after raising $350,109 just since April 1. Dooley significantly cut back on his spending, with only $17,572 during the past quarter, and $121,049 overall.
Dooley’s donors include Slay, who gave him $10,000, and wealthy financier Rex Sinquefield, who donated $100,000 to the county executive. Dooley also received $1,000 apiece from Republican activist Edith Cunnane and former St. Louis Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr.
As we reported earlier, Dooley's potential Democratic rival -- County Councilman Steve Stenger -- reported $321,016 in the bank after raising $205,862 during the past quarter. But Stenger's total doesn't reflect $100,000 that he donated to himself over the weekend.
