JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – So far this year, Missouri Club for Growth has donated $225,000 to 5 candidates, raising eyebrows towards their involvement in primaries. The group released a statement recently highlighting their endorsement of challengers to incumbents, which was followed up by large donations to the campaigns. Yesterday, the 2nd Senatorial District candidate Dr. Bob Onder announced their endorsement of his campaign, which a three-way primary ensures a followup donation.
“Missouri Club for Growth PAC proudly endorses these four challengers because their districts deserve strong, principled, and courageous representation,” said MOCFG PAC Chairman Bev Randles. “We strongly encourage primary voters to support these and other Missouri Club for Growth PAC endorsed candidates so that we can truly move this state toward smaller, more efficient government, and a free and flourishing private sector.”
The campaign committees of Jason Frodge (challenger to Rep. Lyle Rowland, R-Cedar Creek), Ron Bohn (challenger to Rep. Paul Fitzwater, R-Potosi), and Loren Hunt (challenger to Rep. Jeff Messenger, R-Republic) received $25,000 from the group, while Dr. John Bailey (challenger to Rep. Nate Walker, R-Kirksville) received $50,000. The four incumbents did not vote to override the governor’s veto last year of HB253, which has made the other 11 representatives who changed their vote on last session’s income tax cut bill uneasy.
Randles told the Missouri Times that the group works to support individuals who share like minds with them towards economic growth in the state. The group supports tax cuts, such as HB253.
“Our goals these past two sessions were cutting taxes,” Randles said. “The bill that was passed this last session is what I hope to be the first step in real, meaningful tax reform for Missouri citizens. Next year, our goals will continue to be finding ways to curb taxes and take the burden off of small business owners.”
Though the group has been around for a long while, it has been revitalized since Randles became chairman after her husband’s gubernatorial campaign in 2012. She has been joined by Todd Abrajano, who previously served as director of communication for the Missouri House of Representatives and who went on to work in national public relations affairs. Abrajano’s wife, Melanie, has been the executive director for the group for 5 years. Randles touted an increase in their grassroots outreach and fundraising in the past two years.
“I think that a lot of people in the state of Missouri agree with what we stand for,” Randles said. “They’re tired of a growing government. They’re tired of their taxes being increased and not seeing more government services in exchange for that. “
The fifth donation from the group was to former Speaker of the House and gubernatorial candidate Catherine Hanaway for $100,000 back in March.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
