JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — When it comes to fundraising, the Democratic candidate for Missouri State Auditor is leading the pack by a substantial margin that no one else in the race comes close to.
Auditor Nicole Galloway, who was appointed to the position in 2015 by then-Gov. Jay Nixon has raised $1.9 million, according to the October quarterly filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Between July 1, 2018, and September 30, 2018, she generated $203,387 in donations.
Galloway has also been the big spender in her attempt to retain her position, spending $73,661 this filing period and $562,571 for the election. She has $1.3 million cash-on-hand.
In contrast, Republican candidate Saundra McDowell has reported raising $38,927 in the previous three months and spending $18,225, leaving her with $26,457 cash-on-hand. Her campaign also reported being in debt $23,809.
In total, Galloway held a 50-to-1 fundraising advantage over McDowell at the close of the most recent filing period.
Jacob Luetkemeyer, Constitution Party candidate, has raised $430. The other two candidates in the race — Libertarian Sean O’Toole and Green Party candidate Don Fitz — have not reported any fundraising activity with the MEC.
“Because of the support our campaign has received from Missourians, who want an independent check on the single-party rule in Jefferson City, we’re able to launch the largest fall broadcast television ad buy ever in a race for Missouri auditor,” said Galloway campaign spokeswoman Grace Haun.
The fundraising advantage allowed Galloway to hit the airwaves first with what her campaign called the largest general election broadcast television buy in a race for auditor in Missouri’s history.
Galloway highlights tenure as auditor in first tv advertisement
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.
