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Ehlmann, Funderburk weigh in on looming primary

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — While the Democratic Primary in St. Louis County appears to be heating up, the St. Charles County Executive Republican has been largely under-reported. Rep. Doug Funderburk is looking to unseat longtime incumbent and St. Charles political figure, Steve Ehlmann.

Steve Ehlmann
Steve Ehlmann

The term-limited state lawmaker has less than $10,000 on hand in mid-April, while Ehlmann had more than $40,000. Neither man has the advantage of time with the Aug. 5 primary date seemingly around the corner. While Funderburk says he’s ratched up his fundraising efforts, Ehlmann likes to note just who is giving his challenger money.

“Most of my contributors are individuals giving small amounts,” Ehlmann said. “When you look at [Funderburk’s], you see the opposite.”

Funderburk, a longtime St. Charles-area lawmaker, sponsored the controversial gun nullification bills in 2013 and 2014, no doubt hoping the bill’s will reinforce his conservative credentials. He says he can make headway in the race because Ehlmann hasn’t “connected” with his constituents.

“The number one complaint I hear just from the folks I’m talking to is that he isn’t connecting on a personal level with people,” Funderburk said. “And the number two is that he isn’t working with the individual municipalities well.”

Ehlmann is quick to counter the charge. Pointing to the soon-to-be-completed Page Avenue extension project.  Ehlmann said it simply wouldn’t have been possible if several localities didn’t work together in tandum.

Rep. Funderburk
Rep. Funderburk

“We got every municipality on board with this,” Ehlmann said. “This was all about people coordinating together.”

Ehlmann is largely running as a man of experience, citing consistency in growth and long record of public service as evidence enough that he has the credentials. Funderburk argues that he can foster a more assertive St. Charles, which has more influence in the region. Ehlmann counters that the region is doing just that.

And both men are watching the calendar, and ticking away the days until August 5.