The amount of money and contributions raised by the four candidates for two unpaid seats on the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education could nearly foot the bill for two 77-passenger diesel buses.
The four have netted over $201,000 in campaign contributions, according to Missouri Ethics Commission reports filed on March 27.
For the second time, Judy Brunner, a former SPS administrator, netted the highest sum of donations acquired during the reporting period. Brunner received about $27,700 in cash contributions and over $33,500 in total. Current board member Shurita Thomas-Tate nearly equaled Brunner in total contributions this cycle, with about $33,300 in total reported.
Landon McCarter generated over $25,000 in funds this cycle, with nearly half of it coming from a $12,000 in-kind donation provided by Andrew Jared, marketing director at Jared Management, according to Missouri Ethics Commission filings. Chad Rollins, whose campaign significantly trailed the other three candidates in early fundraising, made up some ground but still places last in total dollars raised at just under $14,000.
An in-kind contribution is any non-monetary item of value given to a candidate. While the eight-day filings don’t spell out what candidates are given, in-kind contributions often include gifts, office supplies or discounts, according to the MEC.
Fundraising totals collectively top $201K for four candidates, so far
Including cash, in-kind contributions and loans, the candidates have collectively raised $201,652.15 to campaign for the two open school board seats on the April 4 ballot. Brunner’s campaign accounts for about 42 percent of the tally.
Brunner, a former SPS principal and administrator, added $33,558.98 to her total of $85,000.85 for the election cycle. Of the funds reported this period, $27,696.61 came from campaign donations, $4,263 came from a loan to herself and $1,559.37 came from in-kind contributions.
Thomas-Tate netted $33,323.55 ($29,940.67 from donors and $3,382.88 from in-kind contributions) this reporting period. That brings the total Thomas-Tate has raised up to $55,630.30.
McCarter’s campaign raised $25,119, with the only in-kind donation being Jared’s. He has so far amassed $47,104.
With only $1,275 reported during the first round of filings, Rollins had the least amount of contributions by far. But a single donation this round nearly quadrupled that total alone. All told, Rollins has received $13,917, including several four-figure donations.
The Thomas-Tate and Brunner campaigns each received their largest single donations from Advance, a PAC that was formed last fall. Advance donated $2,833 apiece to Brunner, Thomas-Tate and Springfield city council candidate Callie Carroll this reporting period. The PAC has about $3.8K on hand, according to the latest Missouri Ethics Commission report. (Hauxeda board member Suzanne Shaw contributed $200 to the Advance PAC and $156.07 to Thomas-Tate’s campaign this reporting cycle.)
Rollins and McCarter received their largest single cash contributions from Gerald Cook, of Ozark. Cook donated $5,000 to each campaign.
Brunner’s latest contributions include $500 from the current school board president. Denise Fredrick, a retired SPS educator, is stepping down from the board after 12 years of serving on it. Fredrick’s predecessor, former SPS board member Alina Lehnart, contributed for the second time to the Brunner campaign. She and her husband Darren Lehnart have donated $519.84 over two contributions.
McCarter received $500 from the Eric Burlison for Congress campaign organization. Burlison, the Republican representative from Missouri's 7th congressional district, endorsed both McCarter and Rollins.
Here are each candidate’s big contributors.
Who donated to Judy Brunner?
Brunner, a former Springfield Public Schools principal and administrator, started a business with former SPS director of security Dennis Lewis in 1999 centered around developing and sharing best practices for addressing school safety and bullying. As of Tuesday morning, Brunner, the leading fundraiser, remained the only Springfield school board candidate who has purchased commercial air time on KY3. For more on Brunner’s background and beliefs, check out this story. To see all of her most recent contributors, check the Missouri Ethics Commission filing.
Campaign donations of more than $500, in order of amount received:
- Bryan Magers — $4,000 (over two donations this reporting cycle)
- Advance — $2,833
- John “Jack” Stack — $2,000
- The Capitol Group — $1,500
- Stephanie Stenger — $1,000
- Bay Family Registered LLLP — $1,000
- William Rowe — $1,000
- Cleze Carr Jr. — $807.17
- Gerald Zamora — $519.52
- Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 178 — $500
- Teamsters 245 — $500
- Denise Fredrick — $500
- Lloyd Geisler — $500
- David Harper — $500
- Dwight Rahmeyer — $500
Who donated to Shurita Thomas-Tate?
An associate professor in MSU’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Thomas-Tate is the only school board candidate seeking re-election in 2023. To learn more about Thomas-Tate, check out this story. To see all of her most recent contributors, check the Missouri Ethics Commission filing.
Campaign donations of more than $500, in order of amount received:
- Advance — $2,833
- Abram McGull — $1,038.73
- Lyle Foster — $1,000
- Gail Smart — $1,000
- John Oke-Thomas — $1,000
- Troy Tate — $1,000
- Clifton and Lauren Brown — $975
- Katie Davenport-Kabonic — $623.67 (over two donations this reporting cycle)
- Carolyn and Jack Hembree — $600
- Gloria Galanes — $519.52
- David Harper — $519.52
- Kimberly Prater — $519.52
- Warford and Jane Johnson — $518.59
- Meredith Roberts — $519.52
- Janet Dankert — $500
- Amy Pinegar — $00
- Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 178 — $500
- Jeff Schrag — $500
Who donated to Landon McCarter?
McCarter is the co-founder of Secure Agent Marketing. For more about McCarter’s background, beliefs and community connections, check out this story. To see all of his most recent contributors, check the Missouri Ethics Commission filing.
Campaign donations of more than $500, in order of amount received:
- Gerald Cook — $5,000
- Grant Olson — $1,000
- Tony Stubblefield — $1,000
- Eric Burlison for Congress — $500
- Nicholas Burlison — $500
- Conservative Citizens Coalition — $500
- John Gentry — $500
- Gordon Kinne — $500
- Bill Reed— $500
- Ryan Rook — $500
Who donated to Chad Rollins?
A licensed pharmacist, Rollins said that running in the April 4 election for the Springfield Public Schools board is a move into a new realm for him, but also an extension of his recent efforts to lead positively and by example. For more on Rollins’ background and beliefs, check out this story. To see all of his most recent contributors, check the Missouri Ethics Commission filing.
Campaign donations of more than $500, in order of amount received:
- Gerald A. Cook — $5,000
- Loren Cook II — $1,000
- W. Thomas Fowler and Linda Fowler — $1,000
- Anthony K. Stubblefield — $1,000
- Robert Wilson — $1,000
- Michelle Herring — $500
- Marissa Roberts — $500
