Estes, Rollins duke it out over money

In Cole County assessor's race

Challenger Greg Rollins' money-raising and spending is more than double the amounts incumbent Chris Estes has reported in the Republican primary race for Cole County assessor.

With no other candidates filed for the office, the winner of Tuesday's primary voting would be the assessor for the next four-year term.

Through Monday's "eight days before the election" campaign finance report, Rollins had raised $48,679.51, including $7,000 in loans from himself - more than double Estes' $20,626.29, including an $800 personal loan.

Rollins had spent $34,891.37, compared to Estes' $16,475.66.

Both men have been raising and spending money for the campaign since last year.

Rollins has raised the bulk of his money through small donations, including $7,637 in contributions of $100 or less in three different fundraisers.

Another $1,805 came in donations placed in a jar on the customer counter at Rollins' business, Rollins Automotive.

His largest individual contributions came from Jerry Robinette, $584; Dennis and Ginger Luetkemeyer, Steve Rollins and Lisa Young, $500 each; Ross Gilbert, $305; David and Bonnie Scheperle, $300; and four $250 donations from Ann and Tom Turnbaugh, Gary Marshall, Karen Steffens and James and Jewel Allen.

Rollins also reported three $200 donations from John Graham, Darlene Norment and Kelly Gillespie; one $150 contribution; 15 separate donations of $100 each; three separate $50 donations; and three other contributions under $50.

Most of Rollins' $34,891.37 expenses involved advertising costs.

He also has spent $6481.77 on T-shirts; $2,735 on two different quilt auctions at St. Martin's and St. Stanislaus parish events; $840 for a table sponsorship at a Trinity Lutheran School event; $575 for a Republican Central Committee auction item; $521.78 for signs; $163.14 for parade candy; and $107 supporting the Moving Vietnam Wall when it came to Jefferson City last September.

Estes' biggest contributions for this election were: $600 from Ken Littlefield; $550 each from Peter Goldschmidt and John Ruth; $500 from the Farmco D LLC; $450 from Paul Meyer; $335 from Jackie Beal; five donations of $300 each; six $250 contributions; one donation for $200; four at $150; one for $130; one for $125 and six for $100 each.

His $16,475.66 in expenses included advertising costs and $778.76 for mailings; $277.15 for business cards and "push" cards; $258.13 for signs; $250 for a "Battle of the Brews" sponsorship; and $110.17 for candy.