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The committee supported a political action committee (required by state law to be nonpartisan) created to “unite” the Springfield community and combat partisanship in certain local elections. He donated a total of $60,000 to Springfield school board candidates.
Late last week, United Springfield PAC donated $20,000 each to incumbent Daniel Kincaid and Scott Kreis, who serve as board president and vice president, respectively. And to first-time winner Susan Provence.
Jim Anderson, co-chair of the PAC along with Terry McQuarrie, said Sunday that the money is intended to support television ads that the candidates will begin airing early this week.
“It’s going to go toward TV advertising. It’s not a blank check,” Anderson said. “I think the TV (ads) will start on Tuesday or Wednesday. It starts this week.”
As of Sunday, public inspection files for KYTV and KOLR and their affiliates showed no advertising contracts with local political candidates.
Seven candidates are vying for three open seats in the April 2 election. The three candidates with the most votes will be sworn in in mid-April.
Other candidates include Landon McCarter, Chad Rollins, Kyler Sherman Wilkins and incumbent Mariam Mohammadkhani.
Campaign ads for the seven board candidates have not yet appeared on television, but they are abundant on local billboards and social media platforms, especially Facebook.
The News-Leader asked whether PAC was involved in the production of the joint TV ad between Clydes, Kincaid and Provence. Anderson said no.
“They all run separate ads. We don’t run group ads,” Anderson said. “They all do their own TV production and advertising. We just wanted to provide financial support to supported candidates, and that’s earmarked for TV advertising.”
In a campaign disclosure report filed in late February upon request, the PAC reported raising $120,992. The next reporting deadline for PACs and candidates is March 25, his eight days before the election.
more:PAC seeking to influence SPS board raises $210,000.their donors vary widely
Anderson was asked if the PAC intends to donate more money to Clyde, Kincaid and Provence this election cycle.
“I don’t expect that. Of course they’re all raising the money themselves,” he said. “We told them from day one that we’re not going to be your bank. You have to raise your own money and run your own campaign. But we’re not going to be your bank. I will do whatever I can to help.”
In total, the three companies raised more than $64,000, with Kryze collecting $33,875, Kincaid $17,117 and Provence $13,572, according to reports filed in late February. Ta.
In late February, they raised significantly less money than Mr. Mohammadkhani, who reported $71,759, and Mr. McCarter, who reported $49,840. Sherman Wilkins reported $15,882 and Rollins raised $12,305.
United Springfield Mission, Top Donor
United Springfield PAC was formed in late October and more than 50 people, including civic leaders, business owners and elected officials, have donated money or in-kind services.
“Some of us have been talking individually and independently about the concerns we’re seeing in local bipartisan elections. There are certainly divisions at the national, state and local level that are creeping into the local We’re starting to see it start,” Anderson said. “We’re just concerned about non-partisan race. We said we need to do something about it.”
Organizers say the PAC is a direct response to the dramatic increase in participation in local elections by partisan and “dark money” groups that choose not to reveal the names of their donors. He said that there is.
Anderson, a retired Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce president and former vice president of Cox Health, said there is a need to act.
“We decided, ‘Let’s look in the mirror, if we’re not going to do something, who’s going to do it?’ We can’t just leave it alone,” Anderson said. “Mr. Terry clearly identifies as a Republican. I don’t really identify as a Democrat, but I am certainly a Democrat, and we deliberately set up a steering committee of independents, Republicans, and Democrats. was constructed.”
The steering committee includes Raylene Appleby, president of PJC Insurance Agency; Orrin Cummings, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church. Jeff Johnson, retired urologist at Mercy Hospital. Julie Reese is a former Springfield educator who worked to strengthen public schools through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Alina Lehnert, leadership expert and former school board member. Tom Prater, eye surgeon and former school board and city council member. Gail Smart is a community volunteer and wife of Missouri State University President Cliff Smart.
All seven candidates running for school board participated in the endorsement process. They filled out a questionnaire and were interviewed.
“Frankly, all seven candidates have done a great job. We sat down as a steering committee on Saturday morning and it was not an easy decision. “We spent two and a half hours reviewing all the candidates…along with the three people we support,” Anderson said. “It was a very thorough and comprehensive process, and there were no constraints on the three candidates we supported.”
He added: “We just think these three candidates are the best fit and alignment with what we’re trying to do and that will bring our community together. ” he added.
In recent years, outside spending groups Truth in Politics and SWMO Forward PAC, which do not disclose their members or donations, have paid for political ads attacking candidates they do not support.
United Springfield PAC has made it clear from the beginning that it will not engage in negative campaigning. “We’re not going to antagonize anyone. We’re going to support the candidates who best align with our mission.”
The PAC submitted a detailed report listing the names of all donors. The largest monetary gifts are:
- $50,000 – Jeffrey Hutchens, President of Hutchens Industries.
- $5,000 – Brian Majors, President of Brian Properties. Jeff Johnson retires. Tom Carlson, former mayor, financial supporter and publisher of the Springfield Daily Citizen; Thomas Baird III, retired. Tom Prater, eye surgeon, former school board president, and city council member. Elizabeth Stack, retired.
- $2,500 – Robert Baird, retired. Sally Baird, retired. Shannon Gregg, housewife. Chandler Gregg, attorney. Gail Smart.
- $2,000 – David O’Reilly, Executive Vice President, O’Reilly Auto Parts. Charlie O’Reilly retires. Alina Lehnert, former school board president and owner of Lehnert Leadership Group;
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