Updated 3:23 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17
State Sen. John Lamping, R-Frontenac, has yet to say if he’s running for re-election this fall, in what could be the region’s top legislative contest.
But his campaign money could be speaking for him. He has very little.
Meanwhile, his Democratic challenger — state Rep. Jill Schupp of Creve — has raised a lot.
The latest campaign-finance reports for the two, filed this week, show that Schupp raised more than $108,000 during the past three months. She now has $261,202 in the bank.
Lamping reported raising only $3,000 during the same period; he now has only $9,877 in the bank.
Lamping also spent very little during the quarter — $463 — compared to Schupp’s $18,235. That disparity signals that Lamping hasn’t engaged in campaign preparations, such as a hiring a staff, that usually accompanies an election bid.
For more than a year, Lamping has made no secret of his indecision. His wife and several of his children now live near Kansas City because a young daughter is gifted in gymnastics and training for a possible Olympic bid.
Roorda, Schmitt report impressive tallies
In the region’s other potentially hot Senate contest, in Jefferson County, state Rep. Jeff Roorda, D- Barnhart, has a significant financial edge over his likely Republican rival, Rep. Paul Wieland of Imperial.
Roorda reported $168,950, compared to Wieland’s $21,677. The two spent similar amounts during the past quarter — $8,162 for Wieland and $8,994 for Roorda — a sign that they're both preparing for the race.
Interesting totals among the region’s other state senators include:
- Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, has a huge tally of $855,014 for what is expected to be a statewide bid – possibly attorney general – in 2016;
- Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University, has amassed $208,246 in the bank for her expected re-election effort this fall.
- Sen. Joe Keaveny, D-St. Louis, up for re-election this year, has collected $91,157;
- Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, has just begun her second year of her first term but already has accumulated $144,127.
Is Slay looking at another race — or another term?
In St. Louis, Mayor Francis Slay — just ending the first year of his fourth term — has already banked $457,351 after raising $80,537 during the last three months of 2013.
Such a hefty campaign war chest is prompting speculation about the mayor's intentions. Is he considering other offices? Or is the longest-serving mayor in the city's history already looking at a possible fifth term?
Word has it that Slay, prolific on social media, is soon to roll out a revamped website.
St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green, who won re-election last year as well, didn’t raise any money during the past three months. But she still has $190,190 in the bank.
Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed, who lost to Slay in March, has $57,279 in the bank to begin his planned 2015 re-election campaign. Reed raised only $14,145 during the past three months.
But one of Reed’s likely rivals, Alderman Jennifer Florida, D-15th Ward, has far less. She collected $6,775 during the quarter and has $12,457 in the bank.
Another talked-about contender for Reed’s job — Alderman Lyda Krewson, D-28th Ward — has far more. She reported $197,519 in the bank.
