This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Jan. 17, 2012 - State Treasurer Clint Zweifel holds a commanding financial advantage in his race for re-election against his only announced GOP opponent, state Rep. Cole McNary, R-Chesterfield and the son of former St. Louis County Executive Gene McNary.
Zweifel -- who won election to the treasurer's office in 2008 against state Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah -- raised $112,351.39 during the last fundraising quarter of 2011. After spending $30,151.60, Zweifel has $802,856.09 on hand.
Meanwhile, Cole McNary -- who announced his state treasurer bid late last year -- took in $23,949 during the last fundraising quarter. (Click here to view the report.) After spending $23.81, McNary has $52,486.50 on hand.
Campaign finance reports covering the last three months of 2011 are due today.
Zweifel is one of four statewide officials running for re-election next year. Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster and Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder are seeking another term in office. Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan decided against seeking a third term. Nixon filed his report last Friday.
Before the last election, an incumbent, other than governor, rarely lost re-election. In 2010, though, Democratic state Auditor Susan Montee lost a bid for another term against Republican Tom Schweich.
Jason Rosenbaum, a freelance journalist in St. Louis, covers state and local government and politics.
