This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, March 03, 2011 - Jake Zimmerman, the Democratic candidate for St. Louis County assessor, has kept a huge financial edge over Republican rival L. K. "Chip" Wood as the duo heads into the final week before the April 5 election.
In campaign reports filed late today, Zimmerman, a state legislator from Olivette, reported that he has spent almost $400,000 so far in his bid to be the county's first elected assessor in 50 years. That is more than 10 times the $30,247.97 spent by Wood, who runs a real estate company.
Zimmerman reported spending more than $120,000 so far on TV ads and almost as much on mailers sent to county households.
The financial reports cover money raised and spent through last Thursday. They show that Zimmerman has raised $283,282.70 to augment the hefty savings he already had amassed from previous campaigns. Zimmerman reported $114,470.57 remaining in the bank as of last Thursday, with no debts.
Wood, meanwhile, reported a far leaner operation. He has raised $41,864 overall, and had $12,421.03 in the bank as of last Thursday. He reported a $3,000 debt.
Wood's expenses included about $10,000, combined, for advertising on TV, radio and in newspapers.
Zimmerman's tally doesn't include thousands of dollars in donations he has received since last Thursday, which have been reported separately on the Missouri Ethics Commission's website.
Zimmerman's donors include several Democratic statewide officeholders -- including state Attorney General Chris Koster, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and state Treasurer Clint Zweifel -- as well as a number of unions and lawyers.
Wood has received donations from firms and individuals involved in the real estate industry or home construction. He also received a $500 donation from former McDonnell-Douglas chief James S. McDonnell III, as well as several donations from local Republicans including: $1,200 from state Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue; $500 from state Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale; $150 from county Republican Party chairman Rich Magee and $100 from the campaign committee of state Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield.
