First-term Democrat Cindy Holscher has proved to be an effective fundraiser according to campaign reports filed with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission Wednesday.
Holscher, who defeated Republican incumbent Amanada Grosserode in the 2016 election to represent District 17, led all Shawnee Mission area incumbents and challengers in fundraising during calendar year 2017, bringing in $30,742 in contributions. The Lenexa representative has $29,444 cash on hand, according to her report.
Holscher was followed by Republican incumbent Melissa Rooker of Fairway, who raised $23,455 in 2017. Rooker has far more money on hand than any other representative or candidate in the area with $85,798.
First-term Democrat Brett Parker of District 29, which includes a portion of Overland Park within the 435 loop, was behind Rooker with $22,192 in money raised during 2017.
Among the more notable results from the 2017 fundraising reports was the performance of Matt Calcara, a Democrat who is running for the District 30 seat held by Republican Randy Powell. Calcara has raised more than $14,000 since declaring his candidacy in May. That’s more than double the $6,100 in contributions Powell garnered for 2017. Calcara has more than $13,000 cash on hand compared to just under $8,000 for Powell.
Calcara, 36, is a 1999 graduate of Shawnee Mission East who would be the first openly gay member of the legislature in Kansas history if elected.
“I have been just blown away by the amount of community support we’ve been receiving,” Calcara said. “I’m just incredibly grateful to all of the people who’ve taken the time to give. Whether it’s $5 or $500, the people really are powering our campaign.”
Fundraising totals for the Shawnee Mission area House districts are below:
- District 16
Democrat Cindy Holscher (incumbent): $30,742 in contributions, $29,444 cash on hand - District 17
Democrat Laura Smith-Everett: $1,938 in contributions, $1,457 cash on hand
Republican Tom Cox (incumbent): $14,474 in contributions, $17,748 cash on hand - District 18
Democrat Cindy Neighbor (incumbent): $12,790 in contributions, $11,141 cash on hand - District 19
Republican Stephanie Clayton (incumbent): $6,905 in contributions, $55,328 cash on hand
Democrat Stephen Wyatt: $50 in contributions, $50 cash on hand - District 20
Republican Jan Kessinger (incumbent): $11,815 in contributions, $8,778 cash on hand - District 21
Democrat Jerry Stogsdill (incumbent): $11,787 in contributions, $10,823 cash on hand - District 22
Democrat Nancy Lusk (incumbent): $13,997 in contributions, $32,976 cash on hand - District 23
Republican Linda Gallagher: Did not file report - District 24
Democrat Jarrod Ousley (incumbent): $11,582 in contributions, $12,638 cash on hand - District 25
Republican Melissa Rooker (incumbent): $23,455 in contributions, $85,798 cash on hand - District 29
Democrat Brett Parker (incumbent): $22,192 in contributions, $21,096 cash on hand - District 30
Democrat Matt Calcara: $14,231 in contributions, $13,185 cash on hand
Republican Randy Powell: $6,100 in contributions, $7,978 cash on hand
