This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Oct. 11, 2013 - State Auditor Tom Schweich, whose bid for re-election will be the only statewide contest on next year’s ballot, is reporting more $505,000 in his campaign bank account.
According to campaign-finance documents made available to the Beacon, Schweich’s report – due next Tuesday – shows that he has raised $280,705 during the past three months, or $773,580 overall.
He kept spending down during the last quarter, reporting only $67,583 ($238,532 overall). At this stage, candidates generally seek to keep their spending to a minimum, because they want to amass as much money as possible for the TV and radio ads needed for the final two months of the campaign.
Schweich is reporting no debts.
Schweich, a Republican, will hold the top of Missouri’s ticket next year during a rare occurrence when there’s no state Senate or governor’s race to overshadow the office. At the moment, Schweich is among only two GOP statewide officeholders.
Still, no major Democrat has declared any intention of taking on Schweich. So far, only Rep. Jay Swearingen, D-north Kansas City, has announced any interest in the post.
