Scoppe: The Rich 31

HOWIE RICH used a network of corporations with such names as 470 W 166 LLC, Stilrich LLC and 123 Lasalle Associates to dole out scores of $1,000 checks this year to House and statewide candidates running in the June primaries and incumbents who weren’t on the ballot. Most of his recipients were Republicans. Eight of his candidates on the ballot won, and 12 lost.

Here, with thanks to blogger Ross Shealy for going through all the campaign disclosure reports to identify donations from Mr. Rich and a handful of associates across the country, are the Rich 31:

6 Republican losers

House Speaker Pro Tem Harry Cato, District 17, received $10,000, all during the blackout period. The former chairman of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, whom some saw as a contender for Speaker Bobby Harrell’s position, was one of five representatives unseated in the primaries.

Rep. Joey Millwood, District 38, received 24 checks — the most of any House candidate — in a losing bid to retain the seat Mr. Rich had bought for him just two years earlier. He received only four donations for the primary itself, all late last year; but the day after he failed to win the primary outright, the Rich dump truck backed up to his headquarters with another $20,000 for the runoff that he ultimately lost.

Two years ago, Mr. Millwood was one of the two Howie Rich incumbent-slayers, receiving $32,000 — all but $3,000 during the blackout period — to unseat the chairman of the House Education Committee who dared to oppose Mr. Rich’s schemes.

Rep. James Stewart, District 86, received 10 donations. Half of them were not reported until after the election, even though all but one should have been.

Rep. Richard Chalk, District 123, received 10 donations, all during the blackout period, and half after the primary that he failed to win outright. He lost the runoff.

Christopher Wilson in District 26 received 10 checks on June 1, safely within the blackout period. He lost the contest to replace Rep. Rex Rice, who ran for Congress rather than re-election.

Jermaine Husser, District 117, received 10 donations, all during the blackout period. He lost his bid to replace retiring Rep. Tim Scott, who also is running for Congress. Mr. Husser picked up just 590 votes, for one of Mr. Rich’s worst returns on investment.

4 Democratic losers

Ennis Bryant, District 50, received $14,000, and although all but one of his checks were dated before the blackout period, he didn’t report eight of them until after the election — including one from March and two from April. He lost to Rep. Grady Brown.

Johnny Sellers, District 54, received seven donations, and although four of them came in before the blackout period, he failed to report any of them until after the election, which he lost in a three-way race to replace retiring Rep. Doug Jennings.

John C. Pinckney, who lost the District 101 race to replace retiring Rep. Ken Kennedy, received five donations. He reported them all on his pre-election disclosure report, as the law required, but he didn’t bother filing that report until after the election.

Benjamin Ward Jr., District 116, received $3,000 and lost to Rep. Robert Brown. Amazingly, all his donations were reported before the election.

8 winners

Rep. Thad Viers, District 68, received $5,000.

The once and future Rep. Rick Quinn received 10 checks from the Rich machine en route to capturing the District 69 seat Rep. Ted Pitts is vacating. Half his donations came in December, half during the blackout period.

House Judiciary Chairman James Harrison, District 75, received five donations the day before the primary, even though his win was never in question. (He took 85 percent of the vote.)

Rep. Roland Smith, District 84, received five checks, all during the blackout period.

Rep. Nelson Hardwick, District 106, received five donations, all during the blackout period.

Rep. Curtis Brantley, District 122, the one Democrat who was elected two years ago while hiding his donations from Mr. Rich, received 15 checks this year on his way to re-election. Eight came in during the blackout period.

Rep. Bill Sandifer, District 2, received 15 checks, about half during the blackout period. Two years ago, Mr. Rich spent $17,000 trying to defeat Mr. Sandifer.

Rep. Michael Sotille, District 112, received $9,000, all during the blackout period. Two years ago, Mr. Rich spent $27,000 on his opponent.

2 general election contestants

Rep. Don Bowen, District 8, received five donations. He had no primary opposition but faces a Democratic challenger in November.

Rep. Tracy Edge, District 104, received five donations. He had no primary opposition but faces a Democratic challenger in November.

7 incumbentswithout opposition

Rep. Mike Pitts, District 14, received $5,000.

Rep. Dennis Moss, District 29, received $5,000.

Rep. Gary Simrill, District 46, received $5,000.

House Republican Leader Kenny Bingham, District 89, received $5,000.

Rep. Jim Merrill, District 99, received $5,000.

Rep. Bill Herbkersman, District 118, received $5,000.

Rep. Dan Hamilton, District 20, received just $2,000.

4 miscellaneous

Rep. Annette Young, District 98, received $5,000. She later announced she would not seek re-election.

Treasurer Converse Chellis received four donations of the maximum $3,500 allowed, all during the blackout period. He was defeated.

Democratic Sen. Robert Ford received five $3,500 donations in his losing bid for governor — all during the blackout period, and one after the election.

Democratic Sen. Darrell Jackson received $10,000 on June 1 and 2. Senators are up for re-election in two years.