Office Politics: Local businessmen run for office

Springfield business owners Steve Helms, Dan Scott, Jeff Parnell and Alan Conner are pounding the pavement to raise dollars for their campaigns. All are Republicans.

Another local candidate, Shane Schoeller, has strong business ties as government affairs director for Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield. Schoeller said the transition from business to politics is a natural one.

“I’ve always believed that if you’re in politics, you’re, in essence, in business,” Schoeller said. “You’re still serving people.”

Schoeller, also a Republican, is a bit of a political-business hybrid. This is his first shot at elected office, but he’s served on the staffs of John Ashcroft, Kit Bond, Roy Blunt and Matt Blunt.

He’s only raised $2,500 so far, but he said he expects to raise upwards of $60,000 for his campaign for the Missouri House seat being vacated by Republican Brad Roark in the 139th District. Schoeller will hold his first big fund-raiser May 4 in Willard.

Schoeller, who works daily for the HBA from 6 a.m.–2 p.m. before leaving to ply on his campaign, is facing Karen Roark, of Springfield, and Joe Pyles, of Fair Grove, in the party primary race, which culminates Aug. 8. General elections are Nov. 7.

“Most business people end up becoming really good people to run for office because their whole background making sure that people are well served,” Schoeller said.

Helms, owner of RTW Business Consulting, is vying for the Missouri 138th District seat occupied since 2005 by Democrat Sara Lampe. He’s up against Michael S. Goodart Jr. in the primaries.

Helms said his business experience – he’s also owned Mello’s Tree Service and Complete Mobile Home – translates well to politics.

“If you don’t have a good economics sense, I don’t think you can take that to Jeff City and really understand how things influence (people),” said Helms, who has raised $20,000 for his $50,000 campaign.

Helms said his fund-raisers are informal meet-and-greets at local spots that offer light finger foods and generate $2,000 to $4,000 a pop.

Architect and developer Scott, who owns The Design Agency LLC and Jericho Development Co. LLC, also is running for state office. He and primary opponent Ronald D. Day are campaigning for the Missouri 137th District seat being vacated by Republican Mark Wright due to term limits.

Robert M. Brantley, Charlie Norr and Richard A. Napieralski are Democrats vying for the seat, which includes downtown Springfield.

Scott has so far raised $24,000 of his $80,000 goal. He said his campaign is going great, but he said he and his team need to get into fund-raising overdrive.

“We’ve been a little bit lazy in doing fund raising,” he said. “We’ve spent more time … learning about what people’s needs are than we have concentrating on raising funds.”

National race

Two business owners, Conner of Employee Screening Services of Missouri Inc. and Parnell of Jeff Parnell Tire LLC, are trying to unseat 29-year Democratic incumbent Ike Skelton of the U.S. House of Representatives’ 4th District. They’re joined in their efforts by Republicans Lloyd D. Sanders Sr., of Richland, and Jim Noland, of Preston, and Libertarian Bryce A. Holthouse, of Warrensburg.

“We’re going to go after Ike like he’s never been after,” said Conner, a Long Lane resident who has raised $50,000 to go along with the $250,000 of his own money that he’s plugged into his campaign.

Conner said his campaign would likely cost $750,000 to run effectively.

He’s willing to throw in another $200,000 of his own money, he said.

“I am the first candidate in 30 years that will go toe-to-toe with (Skelton) financially,” he added.

Parnell, who was unsuccessful in the 2004 primaries, said his name recognition should help him advance further this time around. So far he’s raised $5,000 against a goal of $100,000.

He also said he will limit himself to eight years in Washington, D.C., if elected.

He’s a big proponent of term limits and said his long-term goal is to return to Springfield to run his tire business.

“I don’t think the founders envisioned a system where people tried to make serving a career,” Parnell said. “They envisioned butchers, bakers and candlestick makers going and serving for a season and then going home."[[In-content Ad]]