The incumbent for Missouri's 6th Senate District has more than 66 times the amount of cash on hand as his challenger, according to the most recent filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Republican incumbent Mike Bernskoetter, a Jefferson City businessman and first-term state senator, has outraised and outspent challenger Scott Riedel, a U.S. Army veteran of 31 years from Lake Ozark, throughout the election season. The two Republicans are the only candidates running for the 6th Senate District, meaning the election will be decided through the Aug. 2 primary.
Bernskoetter's campaign had $227,234 cash on hand at the end of June, and Riedel's campaign had $3,392, according to July 15 filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission (MEC).
Bernskoetter's campaign has raised nearly $188,000 in donations and contributions this election cycle, and Riedel's campaign has raised more than $28,800 this cycle.
Donors who contributed $1,000 or more in the aggregate to Bernskoetter's campaign include: Jerry Presley, $1,000; Marc Ellinger, $1,000; Missouri Farm Bureau Federation State PAC, $1,000; John Sheehan, $1,120; The Grote Group, $1,127.20; Central to Good Government PAC, $1,350; Cheyenne, $1,400; Missouri Insurance Coalition PAC, $1,400; Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists PAC, $1,400; John Kampeter, $1,500; John Kehoe, $1,500; MOFOP PAC, $1,500; PT-PAC of Missouri, $1,500; Build St. Louis PAC Inc., $1,500; St. Louis Police Officers Association PAC, $1,500; University of Missouri Flagship Council PAC Inc., $1,900; AGC of MO PAC, $1,900; Tom Naught, $1,192; Shady Gators, $2,000; Jackie Luetkemeyer, $2,000; Blaine Luetkemeyer, $2,000; Missouri Independent Bankers Assoc PAC, $2,000; BW Jack LLC, $2,000; Tony Feather, $2,000; Lathrop Gage Consulting PAC, $2,300; AMEPAC, $2,400; Erick Jansson, $2,400; Spire PAC, $2,400; AT&T Missouri Employee PAC, $2,400; Missouri Corn Growers Association State PAC, $2,400; Dealters Interested in Government, $2,400; MPLA Legislative Fund, $2,400; and Missouri Realtors PAC, $2,400; and Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters PAC, $2,559.
Contributors to the Bernskoetter campaign who gave in the aggregate of $500-$999 in this cycle were: Mary Lee Roberts, $760; Missouri State Troopers Association Inc. PAC, $700; Ann Bax, $500; Mildred Bernskoetter, $676; Ben Bielski Jr., $500; Ed Clausen, $500; Gaiya Henley, $500; Tom Kolb, $900; Larry Kolb, $500; Rick Naught, $500; Ann Perry, $500; LaVerne Twehous, $500; Edward Twehous, $500; Don Vanderfeltz, $500; Rudolph Veit, $600; Gary Wilbers, $650; and Missouri Rental Dealers Association PAC, $500.
Donors who gave $100-$499 to Bernskoetter's campaign in the aggregate in this cycle include: John Baker, $100; Gary Bemboom, $100; Jim Bernskoetter, $100; Robert Brundage, $100; Marybeth Bruns, $100; Don Cryderman, $100; Rita Dallmeyer, $100; Steve Dinolfo, $100; Carl Doerhoff, $100; Jonathon Dolan, $100; Don Eggen, $100; Artwin Ehrhardt, $100; Joe Engler, $100; Edward Gray, $100; Darlene Green, $100; Jan Heislen, $100; Judy Hudson, $100; Charles Jackson, $100; Jim Jordan, $100; Janet Kauffman, $100; John Kolb, $100; Ken Littlefield, $100; Carolyn Loethen, $100; Mark Mueller, $100; Carol Pleus, $100; Brenda Popp, $100; Jonathon Prouty, $100; Mark Schreiber, $100; Harvey Tettlebaum, $100; Bob Weber, $100; Harold Westhues, $100; David Wood, $100; Judy Ridgeway, $130; Sam Bushman, $145; Beth Plank, $150; Les Kampen, $150; Joyce Whittle, $160; Jenny Hart, $165; Greg Gaffke, $170; Sherry Doctorian, $200; David Minnick, $200; Kristina Bernskoetter, $200; Jackie Beal, $250; Steven Burger, $250; Ron Fitzwater, $250; Robert Robuck, $250; Susan Komaromi, $270; Kathy Harness, $300; Jason Schwartz, $320; Paula Burnett, $350; and John Goedde, $440.
Riedel, a first-time candidate, had more than $10,700 in funds by April 1. From the beginning of April to the end of June, Riedel's campaign raised another $14,123.
Nine contributors gave $1,000 or more to Riedel's campaign in the aggregate as of July 14: Wine Vineyards, $2,400; Zachariah Riedel, $2,400; Korte Landscaping, $2,000; Jakob Riedel, $1,600; Garry Pearson, $1,500; Jamie Pearson, $1,220; Angel Marks, $1,100; and Anna-Marie Hopkins, $1,000.
One contributor gave $500-$999: Alpha Graphics, $665.
Riedel also has a PAC, "Patriots for Riedel," that received contributions from Dominic Minolso, $5,000; Missouri Freedom Foundation LL, $1,750; and Federick Berry, $100.
In the same three-month period, the campaign spent $21,460. Riedel's expenditures were primarily advertising and election materials, including $8,800 for campaign signs, $8,090 for billboard advertising and more than $2,700 on campaign door hangers.
Bernskoetter had more than $176,000 on hand by April 1 and added another $61,500 between April to June. Financial support for his campaign largely comes from individuals and PACs, such as the Missouri Corn Growers Association State PAC and Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters PAC. More than $51,000 was raised through a June campaign fundraiser at Barry Barns Farm.
Bernskoetter's campaign spent nearly $10,400 last quarter -- half of what Riedel's campaign spent during the same time period. Food and supplies were major expenses as Bernskoetter's campaign spent more than $2,900 on supplies and more than $2,600 on food (including $675 on parade candy alone) during the last three months.
But Bernskoetter has outspent his opponent throughout the election season.
Bernskoetter's campaign has spent a total of $104,180 on the election, which is nearly five times the $25,500 Riedel has spent in total.
Candidates are required to submit an updated campaign finance report to the MEC by Monday.
Scott Riedel