JEFFERSON CITY • One of Missouri’s most prolific campaign donors is signaling that he wants Gov. Mike Parson to run for a full term in 2020.
Missouri Ethics Commission records show retired financier Rex Sinquefield wrote an $850,000 check on Dec. 22 to a political action committee formed to support the Republican governor.
Parson, 63, was elected in 2016 as lieutenant governor, but was elevated to the top spot in state government on July 1 when former Gov. Eric Greitens resigned under a cloud of scandal.
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Parson has not said whether he will seek a full four-year term, but he has not ruled it out.
Former Missouri Republican Party Chairman John Hancock, who oversees the Uniting Missouri PAC, said the six-figure check from the ºüÀêÊÓƵ philanthropist was not a surprise even though Sinquefield had backed Parson’s opponent in the GOP primary for lieutenant governor two years ago.
“My sense is that people are genuinely enthused about the governor,†Hancock said. "We’re very grateful to have the support. Hopefully, it’s a sign of more good things to come.â€
Hancock also acknowledged that Parson hasn’t announced his plans for 2020.
“As a good Boy Scout, you always want to be prepared,†he said.
Contributions to the PAC come after Missouri voters endorsed separate constitutional amendments in 2016 and 2018 to cap campaign contributions.
After having no limits on campaign donations to individual candidates, which created a class of mega-donors populated by Sinquefield and Joplin roofing magnate David Humphreys, the current cap for non-legislative candidates is $2,600 per election. But, that doesn’t limit what can be given to PACs.
Hancock said the pro-Parson PAC will help him compete if he seeks a full, four-year term.
“Because of the finance law we face, it is important to have a fundraising mechanism like this. It’s also important to us that all fundraising and expenses are fully transparent,†Hancock said.
During his turbulent 17 months in office, Greitens used the nonprofit group A New Missouri to promote his agenda.
In contrast to Uniting Missouri, A New Missouri did not have to reveal its donors because of its nonprofit status with the Internal Revenue Service. That led to charges Greitens violated Missouri campaign finance law by intentionally concealing donors.
Tax records made public last week show A New Missouri raked in more than $6 million, but its donors remain secret.
Although Sinquefield backed Bev Randles against Parson in the 2016 lieutenant governor election, the latest contribution is not his first to the governor.
As a candidate for the state Senate, Parson received two $25,000 contributions from Sinquefield – one in 2009 and the other in 2012.
The haul from Sinquefield is helping to push Uniting Missouri’s fundraising totals to the $2 million mark in less than six months.
In the latest fundraising quarter, the PAC also reported contributions from cigarette companies, nursing home operators and others who are regulated or do business with state government.
Other donations to Uniting Missouri include: $10,000 from Republic Services Inc., a waste-collection company whose properties include West Lake Landfill; $25,000 from ºüÀêÊÓƵ County-based Express Scripts; $20,000 from ºüÀêÊÓƵ-based Spire Missouri Inc.; $20,000 from Phoenix Home Care; and $10,000 from Wildwood-based Torch Electronics.
“We’ve got a very aggressive fundraising plan that we’re executing,†Hancock said.