Jacob, Onder pondering more self-financing
July 17, 2008 7 Comments
Two candidates for the U.S. Ninth District congressional seat are considering pouring more of their own money into their respective campaigns.
Former Sen. Ken Jacob, D-Columbia, put out a release today stating that he would be prepared to pour $200,000 into his congressional campaign. Jacob’s already put $50,000 of his own money into the contest.
“We’re serious about fighting for progressive change in Missouri and Washington. We have a real opportunity to turn this district blue, but only if we elect strong leaders. If it takes acquiring a loan for $200,000, than that’s what I’ll do,” Jacob said in a statement.
A spokesman for Jacob said that the money would be a loan from his 401K. He declined to say when the decision about the loan would be made.
Jacob has been lagging behind in fundraising to state Rep. Judy Baker, D-Columbia, and former House Speaker Steve Gaw, D-Moberly. Jacob’s campaign released their fundraising figures before the July 24 deadline, raising a little over $25,000.
No matter, Jacob said.
“Baker and Gaw can raise all the money in the world, but they still won’t have my record of results. My message of providing real leadership in Washington is resonating with voters,” Jacob said. “We’re running a principled campaign—money in politics is an evil.”
Meanwhile, the AP reported that state Rep. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, is also looking at adding $250,000 to his campaign. From the article:
Republican Bob Onder may throw more of his own money into his 9th District congressional campaign, now that the so-called “millionaire’s amendment” has been struck down.
The extra cash could give Onder a lift over four other GOP candidates running in the primary. The wealthy doctor from St. Charles has already poured $250,000 into the race.
Campaign manager T.J. Maloney says Onder will wait until the final days before the Aug. 5 primary to decide.
Onder spokesman Jay Barnes told the Tribune today that no decision has been made about whether the first-term lawmaker will self-finance further. Former state Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, told the Tribune today he would defer comment about whether he too would self-finance until July 24.
About jrosenbaum
J.A.R. 
Ken Jacob may be right that money in politics is an evil, but I don’t see how his taking big checks from Republicans like Bill Laurie and spending 1/4 million dollars of his own money is preferable to the candidates who are raising money by getting $25, $50 and $100 donations from many small donors.
Ken Jacob may be right that money in politics is an evil, but I don’t see how his taking big checks from Republicans like Bill Laurie and spending 1/4 million dollars of his own money is preferable to the candidates who are raising money by getting $25, $50 and $100 donations from many small donors.
OMG, Ken, don’t be a fool. You’ll just be wasting your money. Leave your 401k alone.
OMG, Ken, don’t be a fool. You’ll just be wasting your money. Leave your 401k alone.
There isn’t a candidate in this race who hasn’t accepted questionable money. Your average voter never gives a dime to a candidate. Many can’t afford to give candidates money and feel that they have already given plenty in the form of their tax dollars that pay politician’s salaries.
I myself could not possibly afford to give to a candidate. I try to volunteer my time when possible but even that is difficult considering I work 12 hour days to keep a roof over my head and fuel in my tank. I suspect that is true for many non-apathetic voters.
There should be a way to inform voters without spending ridiculous amounts of money on 30 second TV spots, yard signs, and all of the other pieces of propaganda that candidates put out there to get elected.
Just think of what could be done if the money that donors spent on candidates was spent on charitable organizations. It’s sick the role money has in American politics.
The people that do give to candidates represent special interests themselves. How many donors on Gaw’s report have the last name Orscheln? How many people on Baker’s list are members of her husband’s congregation? She even has a lawyer that represents Aquilla on her list of contributors. Jacob has Bill Laurie and members of Planned Parenthood on his.
I respect all of the candidates in this race and suspect they will all do a fine job in Congress. I seriously believe though that we absolutely need to take the influence of money out of these races. I want to vote for a candidate based on what they will do to represent me. Not on how much money they can spend on flashy TV spots and the ridiculous amount of yard signs that clutter our yards.
There isn’t a candidate in this race who hasn’t accepted questionable money. Your average voter never gives a dime to a candidate. Many can’t afford to give candidates money and feel that they have already given plenty in the form of their tax dollars that pay politician’s salaries.
I myself could not possibly afford to give to a candidate. I try to volunteer my time when possible but even that is difficult considering I work 12 hour days to keep a roof over my head and fuel in my tank. I suspect that is true for many non-apathetic voters.
There should be a way to inform voters without spending ridiculous amounts of money on 30 second TV spots, yard signs, and all of the other pieces of propaganda that candidates put out there to get elected.
Just think of what could be done if the money that donors spent on candidates was spent on charitable organizations. It’s sick the role money has in American politics.
The people that do give to candidates represent special interests themselves. How many donors on Gaw’s report have the last name Orscheln? How many people on Baker’s list are members of her husband’s congregation? She even has a lawyer that represents Aquilla on her list of contributors. Jacob has Bill Laurie and members of Planned Parenthood on his.
I respect all of the candidates in this race and suspect they will all do a fine job in Congress. I seriously believe though that we absolutely need to take the influence of money out of these races. I want to vote for a candidate based on what they will do to represent me. Not on how much money they can spend on flashy TV spots and the ridiculous amount of yard signs that clutter our yards.
There isn’t a candidate in this race who hasn’t accepted questionable money. Your average voter never gives a dime to a candidate. Many can’t afford to give candidates money and feel that they have already given plenty in the form of their tax dollars that pay politician’s salaries.
I myself could not possibly afford to give to a candidate. I try to volunteer my time when possible but even that is difficult considering I work 12 hour days to keep a roof over my head and fuel in my tank. I suspect that is true for many non-apathetic voters.
There should be a way to inform voters without spending ridiculous amounts of money on 30 second TV spots, yard signs, and all of the other pieces of propaganda that candidates put out there to get elected.
Just think of what could be done if the money that donors spent on candidates was spent on charitable organizations. It’s sick the role money has in American politics.
The people that do give to candidates represent special interests themselves. How many donors on Gaw’s report have the last name Orscheln? How many people on Baker’s list are members of her husband’s congregation? She even has a lawyer that represents Aquilla on her list of contributors. Jacob has Bill Laurie and members of Planned Parenthood on his.
I respect all of the candidates in this race and suspect they will all do a fine job in Congress. I seriously believe though that we absolutely need to take the influence of money out of these races. I want to vote for a candidate based on what they will do to represent me. Not on how much money they can spend on flashy TV spots and the ridiculous amount of yard signs that clutter our yards.