What does a competitive four-way primary look like in a state with no donation limits? With two weeks to go before the Aug. 2 gubernatorial contest, Missouri Republicans are learning. From April 1 to June 30, retired Navy SEAL Eric Greitens, who has led in two released polls, narrowly outspent rich guy John Brunner $2.85 million to $2.6 million. Ex-U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway, who has been funded mainly by conservative zillionare Rex Sinquefield and his allies, spent almost $2 million during this time. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder has trailed his rivals in fundraising, and he only spent $610,000 during the period.
However, all of the candidates, even Kinder, will have more than enough money to spend in the next two weeks. Three of the contenders have taken in considerable sums of cash since July began, while Brunner just donated another $1 million to himself. In the last few days, a group called SEALs for Truth donated $1.975 million to Greitens, while two Sinquefield groups sent at least another $850,000 to Hanaway over the last two weeks. Two wealthy siblings, David Humpheys and Sarah Atkins, have donated a combined $1 million to Kinder’s campaign in recent days.
All this money being throw around means that Missourians should get used to seeing a lot of ads in the next two weeks. Brunner recently went up with a new spot bemoaning “chaos in Ferguson” and “Syrian refugees in Missouri,” and blaming President Obama and termed-out Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon. The narrator then promotes Brunner as a “tough Marine” and a successful businessman. While Brunner’s past ads have targeted Greitens, he doesn’t mention any of his primary rivals this time. The GOP nominee will face Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster.