The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO - Campaigns and Politics

Joe Hadsall: Jay Nixon climbs to top in gubernatorial fund-raising
Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon can claim a victory in the fund-raising race for the governor’s office. Taking advantage of Matt Blunt’s abrupt exit from the race, Nixon outraised the two Republican gubernatorial candidates, U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof and state Treasurer Sarah Steelman.
Andy Ostmeyer: Amount spent to win seats rising as fast as gas prices
Gasoline prices break records regularly. Food inflation is the worst it has been in nearly two decades. The water company jacks up rates 64 percent and a few months later asks for another 32 percent.
Joe Hadsall: Reasons for donor’s contributions hard to peg
Missouri’s quarterly campaign contribution reports indicate Rex Sinquefield doesn’t read this column.
Joe Hadsall: Billionaire’s money makes way into politicians’ hands
Sen. Gary Nodler called me in mid-January and told me that he received some donations from political groups organized by Rex Sinquefield, the retired financial analyst who made news by creating and funding 100 political action committees.
Only one in 10 voters went to polls Tuesday in Jasper County
Only one in 10 registered voters in Jasper County went to the polls Tuesday to decide tax questions and leadership positions in cities and school districts.
Carl Junction voters approve bond issues for community center, street projects
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction voters approved a $4.1 million bond issue for a new community center and a $365,000 bond issue for street projects on Tuesday.
Webb City voters approve $5 million school bond issue
WEBB CITY, Mo. — A lighter majority requirement helped the Webb City R-7 Board of Education get a $5 million bond issue approved by voters Tuesday.
Neosho voters OK liquor-license change
NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho voters on Tuesday narrowly approved an amendment to the city charter allowing the City Council to determine the total number of liquor licenses available in the city, according to complete but unofficial results from the Newton County clerk’s office.
Bond issue passes in Pittsburg; Jasper voters defeat bond issue
Two tightly contested bond issues produced different results Tuesday for the Pittsburg School District in Kansas and Jasper R-5 School District in Missouri.
Silver Creek voters defeat sewer-system proposal
A $3 million revenue-bond issue for a sewer system for Silver Creek Village failed Tuesday by a vote of 119 “yes” to 129 “no.” But village voters approved a half-cent sales tax for other capital improvements.
Joplin voters return Glaze, elect Scearce to council
Joplin voters returned an incumbent and a former member to City Council seats in voting Tuesday, according to complete but unofficial returns.
Webb City voters endorse bond issue for street work
WEBB CITY, Mo. — The second time was the charm for a $7.8 million bond issue for street projects in Webb City.
Three new faces elected to Joplin School Board
Randy Steele, Jeff Flowers and Phil Willcoxon were elected Tuesday to serve three-year terms on the Joplin R-8 Board of Education. They will be sworn in during the board’s meeting on Monday.
Incumbents re-elected to Carthage School Board
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Voters on Tuesday returned three incumbents to the Carthage R-9 School Board and elected two newcomers to the Carthage City Council.
Lawrence County voters give nod to cabaret tax
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. — Voters in Lawrence County overwhelmingly approved a special tax on adult cabarets.
Fire district turns down bond issue
SENECA, Mo. — Despite the lower turnout of an April election, residents in the Seneca Area Fire Protection District have not grown any fonder of a tax hike for fire coverage.
Lawrence County voters set to decide fate of cabaret tax
Voters in Lawrence County were asked Tuesday to impose a special tax on cabarets that do business in the county.
The tax would amount to 10 percent of the gross receipts.
9:05 p.m. Steele, Flowers, Willcoxon win seats on R-8 Board
The Joplin R-8 Board of Education will have three new faces during its next meeting.
9:01 p.m. Webb City voters approve $5 million bond issue
A lighter majority requirement helped the Webb City R-7 School District get a $5 million bond issue approved by voters
8:59 p.m. Joplin elects one challenger, one incumbent
Challenger William “Bill” Scearce and incumbent Morris Glaze appear to be the winners of two seats on the Joplin City Council, according to complete but unofficial returns from Jasper and Newton counties.
8:55 p.m. Cabaret tax passes in Lawrence County
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. — With all precincts reporting Tuesday night, voters in Lawrence County overwhelmingly approved a special tax on cabarets in the county.
8:22 p.m. Selected election returns as available
7:45 p.m. Advanced ballots say ‘no’ on Pittsburg bond issue
Advanced ballots returned on a $6.1 million school bond issue in Pittsburg show voters rejecting the motion, according to the Crawford County Clerk’s office.
4:26 p.m. Low turnout noted in Neosho
There was dismal weather and low voter turnout at the former First Baptist Church in Neosho where 103 people had cast ballots as of 3:45 p.m. today.
3:45 p.m. Voters saying no to Pittsburg bond issue
A group of voters surveyed in Pittsburg said they voted against a $6.1 million school construction bond. “We felt all-day kindergarten is unnecessary, it’s too much for those kids,” said Larry Fite, who along with his wife Beverly voted against the measure on Tuesday.
12:54 p.m. Election turnout low and s-l-o-w
There is a noticeable lack of young voters today, unlike the Missouri primary election earlier this year, judges and precinct workers at Precinct No. 24 in Joplin said Tuesday.
“It’s s-l-o-w,” said precinct workers in unison.
12:53 p.m. Webb City supporting school bond issue
Webb City voters appear to be supporting a new library for Webb City High School. The school district is asking for a $5 million bond issue, which would finance construction of the library, new classrooms and other projects.
12:51 p.m. Silver Creek Village voters voice opinions on sales tax, sewer bond
Voters in Silver Creek Village in Newton County today are casting ballots on a $3 million revenue bond issue for construction of a sewer system and a half-cent sales tax.
11:51 a.m. Voter turnout light in Carthage
In Carthage early voter turnout at the Church of the Nazarene, 2000 Grand Avenue, was light. At shortly after 10 a.m. 41 people had voted in the one contested race on the ballot.
10:56 a.m. Early voters endorse Carl Junction bond issues
CARL JUNCTION, MO. — Residents of Carl Junction today are voting on a $4.1 million bond issue for a new community center that will include a city hall, a senior citizen’s center, gymnasium and meeting rooms.
10:10 a.m. Rain slows early business at polls
An election site at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church reported a light turnout to start the April 8 election. The location, which is used by Joplin and Carl Junction voters, reported 33 ballots had been submitted by 9:30 a.m.
Five seek two seats on Joplin council
Two incumbents and three challengers will vie Tuesday for two general seats on the Joplin City Council in Tuesday’s election. The incumbents are Morris Glaze and Bob Harrington. The challengers are Keenan Cortez, Veda Boyd Jones and Bill Scearce.
Five vie for three R-8 school board seats
Five candidates are running for three open seats on the Joplin R-8 Board of Education, but only one incumbent is among them.
Webb City proposing bond issue for streets
WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City residents will take up a bond issue again Tuesday that was defeated last August by about 30 votes, and also decide a race for a 4th Ward City Council post.
Webb City board seeks bond issue again
WEBB CITY, Mo. — The Webb City R-7 School District hopes that a different election date will produce a win for a bond issue.
Ballots carry issue, raft of candidates in Jasper County
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Jasper County residents will decide leadership positions for communities, schools and other districts, plus a variety of other proposals when they go to the polls on Tuesday.
Bond issues for street work, community center on ballot in Carl Junction
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction voters on Tuesday will decide on a $4.1 million bond issue for a new community center and a $365,000 bond issue for street projects.
Carthage school board, council candidates on ballots
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Residents of the Carthage R-9 School District will decide three positions on the board in Tuesday’s school and city elections.
Seneca fire district to try again for bond issue
NEOSHO, Mo. — Members of the Seneca Area Fire Protection District will again try to pass a bond issue to build additional fire stations and replace aging vehicles, while other voters across Newton County will face a variety of other issues and crowded school board races in the Tuesday elections.
Andy Ostmeyer: Two Internet stopovers offer up ‘curiosities’ for campaign watchers
There are favorite stopovers for newspapers following the corset-tight link between money and politics. A few minutes of browsing turns up a lot of ... what shall we call them? ... curiosities.
$6.1 million bond would add 25 classrooms to Pittsburg district
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Citing statewide enrollment trends, Pittsburg School District officials are hoping to pass a $6.1 million bond issue to add classrooms to accommodate all-day kindergarten classes at the district’s four elementary schools.
Joplin City Council candidate Q & A with Dave Woods w/ candidate interview audio
The readers of The Joplin Globe and online viewers at joplinglobe.com are a smart bunch of characters.
Council candidates cite economic issues as priority
There is one common theme found in the messages of the current slate of Joplin City Council candidates. Most of them cite economic issues and expansion of the local job market as their key concerns.
Joe Hadsall: Representative can keep money if law is repealed
Missouri House Speaker-elect Ron Richard, R-Joplin, can keep over-the-limit campaign donations made between Jan. 1 and July 19 of 2007 if legislators this session are successful in repealing the state’s campaign-contribution law.
Sewer bond issue leads tax issues in Newton County
A $3 million bond proposal for a new sewer system, several tax issues and an assortment of races for local school boards and city councils are in store for many smaller communities in Newton County on the April 8 election.
Hulshof touts reforms for state license offices
Standing in front of a state license office he said is known as one of the most efficient in Missouri, Kenny Hulshof said political patronage and cronyism in contracts for the offices will end if he is elected Missouri’s next governor.
Active primary season shapes up in area counties
An active primary election season has shaped up in the wake of filing for county offices in the area. The filing period for candidates closed Tuesday.
Joplin R-8 Board of Education candidate Q & A with Dave Woods w/ candidate interview audio
The readers of The Joplin Globe and online viewers at joplinglobe.com are a smart bunch of characters.
County eyes tax on adult cabarets
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. — Fearing that a proposed strip club that is being fought in Jasper County might wind up in Lawrence County, the Lawrence County Commission is asking voters on April 8 to endorse a special tax on adult cabarets to make it more costly for them to set up shop in the county.
Five candidates vie for school board posts
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Residents in the Carthage R-9 School District will decide among five candidates, including the three incumbents, when they fill school board posts in the April 8 election.
Aurora voters to decide bond issue
AURORA, Mo. — Voters in the Aurora R-8 School District will be asked in the April 8 election to decide whether a $4 million lease-purchase agreement should become a general-obligation bond issue.
Jasper bond issue among proposals facing voters
Jasper County residents will decide leadership positions for communities, schools and other districts, plus a variety of other proposals when they go to the polls on April 8.
Joe Hadsall: Elections hurry pace of campaign disclosures
The months of January, April, July and October are interesting for political junkies, because that’s when the latest campaign finance disclosures are released. The only times more interesting are in the weeks before an election.
Globe seeking questions for Joplin council, school board candidates
Do you have questions for candidates running for seats on the Joplin City Council or the Joplin R-8 Board of Education? We want to ask them for you.
Andy Ostmeyer: List of biggest donors to federal campaigns offers some surprises
I expected to find all the usual suspects on the list: Big Oil, Big Tobacco, the NRA, the NEA. Scouring the Web site of the Center for Responsive Politics, I stumbled upon its 100 biggest givers list.
Superdelegates in spotlight in tight Democratic race
Doug Brooks will be involved in determining the next Democratic presidential nominee.
The Joplin psychologist is one of five Missouri members of the Democratic National Committee who have been named as superdelegates in the presidential campaign.
Nomination may fall to superdelegates w/ Missouri Democratic Party's delegate selection timetable and plan
After primary victories Tuesday for Sen. Hillary Clinton in Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas, the race for the Democratic presidential nomination likely will rest with party superdelegates.
02/26/08 9:56 a.m. Candidate filing opens for 2008 elections
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s political season is officially under way.
Dozens of candidates for state offices lined the halls of the secretary of state’s office Tuesday so they could put their names on the 2008 ballot.
Andy Ostmeyer: Obama, Clinton funnel nearly $1 million to superdelegates
Barack Obama is beating Hillary Clinton where it may count the most. Not in Wisconsin and other states where he is collecting delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
Annual Lincoln Days attracts record crowd
An election season with plenty of competition on both sides of the aisle was likely the attraction for a record-high turnout for the Jasper-Newton County Lincoln Days celebration on Saturday.
Some Kansas Democrats want Sen. Barone pulled from leadership position w/ Timothy Graham and Sen. Jim Barone e-mails
TOPEKA, Kan. — It has been dubbed “Trousergate,” and the incident involving State Sen. Jim Barone, D-Frontenac, has prompted colleagues in the Senate to consider stripping him of another leadership position within the party.
Joe Hadsall: Lobbyists’ influence hard to measure
According to the Missouri Ethics Commission, a lobbyist is “a person who attempts to influence the action of government.”
Andy Ostmeyer: Political reign doesn’t follow the money plow
There was an old saying among land speculators in the latter half of the 19th Century: Rain follows the plow.
Huckabee wins big in Kansas caucus
PARSONS, Kan. — Republicans in Southeast Kansas joined their counterparts around the state in throwing support Saturday to Mike Huckabee, who cruised to a win in the Sunflower state’s Republican caucus.
1:30 02/07/08 McCain seals GOP nomination as Romney suspends campaign
WASHINGTON (AP) — John McCain effectively sealed the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday as chief rival Mitt Romney suspended his faltering campaign.
McCain closing in on GOP nomination nod as Romney bows out
WASHINGTON — John McCain is on the brink of securing the Republican Party presidential nomination that eluded him eight years ago and seemed far out of reach last summer.
Caucus-goers overwhelm Franklin Community Center
FRANKLIN, Kan. — “Pandemonium” is how caucus-goer Rick Fulton, of Pittsburg, described conditions Tuesday at the 13th Kansas Senate District Democratic Caucus at the Franklin Community Center.
Area party officials say Clinton’s numbers in cards
Mike Huckabee and Hillary Clinton parlayed their Arkansas ties into regional advantages Tuesday in Southwest Missouri and Northeast Oklahoma, which helped Clinton win in both states but might not have been enough to nudge Huckabee into the winner’s column in either state.
Tri-State voters line up behind Clinton, Huckabee
Clinton vs. Huckabee? That’s the way local voters think it could play out in the race for the White House this fall.
McDonald County voters crush tax plan for jail
PINEVILLE, Mo. — McDonald County voters on Tuesday rejected a proposed tax that initially would have been used to build an addition to the county jail, according to complete but unofficial results.
8:20 p.m. Big turnout marks Kansas Democratic caucuses
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Overflow crowds gathered for the Democratic presidential caucuses in Kansas Tuesday, as the intense race nationally between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton spread to the Republican-leaning Sunflower State.
7:48 p.m. McCain seeks GOP command on Super Tuesday; Obama, Clinton battle for Democrats
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. John McCain won a string of primaries along the East Coast and in Illinois Tuesday night, reaching for command of the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
Voters discuss reasons for choices
A steady stream of voters weathered the rain and thunderstorms Tuesday to vote in Missouri and Oklahoma primaries and to attend Kansas caucuses, with no clear favorites surfacing in the Globe’s exit polling.
Miami mayor files for re-election
MIAMI, Okla. — Today is the final day for candidate filing for the position of Miami mayor. Current Mayor Brent Brassfield filed for re-election Monday, the opening day of filing.
2:15 p.m. Voters forge ahead in rain to cast ballots
Rain hasn’t dampened election enthusiasm in rural Missouri. Nancy Burks, of rural Anderson, weathered Tuesday’s rain to vote Republican.
Election Day Coverage
Billed as a “chaotic presidential race placed in the hands of voters from coast to coast,” Super Tuesday is shaping up to be a nail biter. Stay with us here at joplinglobe.com for local, state and national coverage. Our reporters will conduct exit polling throughout the day, providing you with comments from local voters. Shortly after the polls close tonight, we’ll bring you up-to-date results as votes are counted.
And how will it all end?
We’ll keep you posted.
6:34 p.m. Analysis: Super Tuesday is the start of a nomination marathon for Clinton and Obama
WASHINGTON (AP) — Consider this the beginning of a long hard slog.
6:29 p.m. Obama wins Georgia for Democrats, McCain seeks GOP supremacy on Super Tuesday
WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama won the Georgia primary Tuesday night, the leading edge of a coast-to-coast struggle with Hillary Rodham Clinton for delegates in the grueling Democratic presidential campaign.
6:14 p.m. So far, so good on St. Louis voting
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Voter turnout in St. Louis was reported as steady Tuesday, with smooth going at the polls.
5:50 p.m. Exit polls offer insight into Missouri primary vote
Some highlights of data from exit polls conducted for The Associated Press and television networks in the Missouri presidential primary Tuesday
5:25 p.m. Voting steady but no clear winner yet
No clear choice has surfaced as a steady number of voters continue to appear at Missouri and Oklahoma polls and prepare for Kansas caucuses.
3:29 p.m. Missouri voting in Democratic, Republican presidential primaries
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Through drizzle and downpours, Missourians rushed from their vehicles to their polling places Tuesday to pick their preferred presidential nominees in a pair of closely contested Democratic and Republican primaries.
3:05 p.m. Democrats in Kansas to caucus tonight
Democrats in Cherokee County, Kan., are preparing to caucus tonight. Veva Jackson, a 68-year-old retired consultant in Galena, said she will go to a caucus at the Franklin Community Center, where Democrats in the 13th Kansas Senate District gather.
1:18 p.m. GOP candidate Romney makes quick campaign stop in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney made a brief campaign stop in Oklahoma on Monday, the eve of the state’s primary election.
12:44 p.m. Jasper County clerk discovers some names missing from roster
Jasper County Clerk Bonnie Earl said election judges are finding some registered voter’s names have been left off the latest roster provided by the Missouri secretary of state’s office.
12:38 p.m. Across the nation, an unprecedented day of coast-to-coast primaries and caucuses
Gina Nunez has never missed an election, primary or general, and found herself in the fellowship hall of a Methodist church in Phoenix on Tuesday to vote before anyone else in her precinct. Before the sun came up, for that matter.
12:12 p.m. Carthage voters talk about their choices
Donna Evans stopped outside the polling place at the Church of the Nazarene, 2000 Grand, in Carthage and said that she voted for Hillary Clinton.
Slide show: Election day, Feb. '08
10:55 a.m. Two votes turned away from polls in Joplin
Two Joplin men, both carrying Jasper County-issued voter registration cards, were asked for photo IDs, and were not allowed to vote when they would not produce them.
11:01 a.m. Early voter turnout steady today w/ exit poll interview audio
Election workers at Peace Lutheran Church clapped when they got their 100th voter before 9 a.m. today. “We try to make it fun,” said Diana Fleischaker, an election worker at Precinct No. 24, 2002 Wisconsin Ave. “We even had three first-time voters.”
9:12 a.m. Missourians to vote Tuesday in presidential primaries
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — With phone calls and TV ads and surrogate campaigners, supporters of the leading presidential candidates are making a final, frenzied push to get Missourians to the polls on Super Tuesday.
9:05 a.m. Key Clinton supporter predicts Obama win in Kansas caucuses
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The co-chairman of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign in Kansas predicted Monday that she wouldn’t win its Democratic caucuses because of the resources put into the state by rival candidate Barack Obama.
Close races may boost voter turnout
Close races may be one factor boosting voter participation in Super Tuesday.
Local election officials said they initially expected low turnouts today, but they were revising those forecasts based on the number of absentee ballots that have been cast.
1:10 p.m. 02/04/08 Honey announces third bid for commission seat
CARTHAGE, Mo. — About 50 supporters gathered Monday to hear Jim Honey announce plans to seek a third term as Jasper County commissioner from the Eastern District.
Primary created to give rank-and-file a say in nomination
Believe it or not there was a time in this country when presidential candidates didn’t “run” for the office. The idea of actually campaigning for political office was considered sort of tacky.
Former President Clinton swings through state
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Former President Bill Clinton, in a campaign stop Saturday night in Springfield, laid out his case for Democratic presidential hopeful, and his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, focusing on her ability to restore the country’s economy and standing in the world.
Kansas caucuses to sort out presidential hopefuls
Kansas Democrats will caucus Tuesday and Kansas Republicans on Saturday to select their choices among those running for president.
Missouri, Oklahoma gear up primaries
So what will happen at your polling place Tuesday? In Missouri, you will be asked to choose one ballot from three that are available for the Republican, Democrat and Libertarian parties.
Local Democrats expect good turnout
Despite the immediate Joplin area’s history as a Republican stronghold, local Democrats have still built ad hoc campaigns for Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and expect a good turnout at the polls Tuesday.

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