While all the attention in the race for Missouri’s open U.S. Senate seat has been focused on the crowded GOP primary, a Democrat quietly out-raised the field last quarter.

Marine veteran Lucas Kunce, 39, reported raising nearly $840,000 during the three months that ended Oct. 1.

That far outpaces his main rivals for the Democratic nomination — former state Sen. Scott Sifton raised $222,000 and businessman Spencer Toder raised $12,000.

He also edged out his potential GOP opponents vying for the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, with Attorney General Eric Schmitt coming closest with $650,000 raised last quarter.

Kunce still trails the Republicans in cash on hand, reporting $670,000 in the bank in his most recent disclosure report compared to $1.6 million for U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler; $1.2 million for Schmitt; $540,000 for U.S. Rep. Billy Long and only $200,000 for former Gov. Eric Greitens.

But Kunce is quick to point out his fundraising haul was built without accepting donations from corporate political action committees.

“In fact,” Kunce said, “I want to abolish corporate PACs altogether.”

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft wants the General Assembly to ban local election workers from helping voters correct mistakes on absentee ballots, a change that could keep some votes from being counted.

The request adds to a growing list of measures advanced by Republicans to alter the state’s election laws, including restoring rules requiring voters to show a photo ID and making it harder to amend the state constitution through ballot measures. Lawmakers failed to pass most proposals earlier this year, but proponents are signaling they will try again in 2022.

The proposals come as GOP legislators indulge lingering conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 presidential election. Missouri Republicans are also keen on curbing Democrats’ success at passing progressive policies through statewide votes. Medicaid expansion, medical marijuana and minimum wage increases have all been approved by voters in recent years.

While all the attention in the race for Missouri’s open U.S. Senate seat has been focused on the crowded GOP primary, a Democrat quietly out-raised the field last quarter.

Marine veteran Lucas Kunce, 39, reported raising nearly $840,000 during the three months that ended Oct. 1.

That far outpaces his main rivals for the Democratic nomination — former state Sen. Scott Sifton raised $222,000 and businessman Spencer Toder raised $12,000.

He also edged out his potential GOP opponents vying for the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, with Attorney General Eric Schmitt coming closest with $650,000 raised last quarter.

Kunce still trails the Republicans in cash on hand, reporting $670,000 in the bank in his most recent disclosure report compared to $1.6 million for U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler; $1.2 million for Schmitt; $540,000 for U.S. Rep. Billy Long and only $200,000 for former Gov. Eric Greitens.

But Kunce is quick to point out his fundraising haul was built without accepting donations from corporate political action committees.

“In fact,” Kunce said, “I want to abolish corporate PACs altogether.”

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft wants the General Assembly to ban local election workers from helping voters correct mistakes on absentee ballots, a change that could keep some votes from being counted.

The request adds to a growing list of measures advanced by Republicans to alter the state’s election laws, including restoring rules requiring voters to show a photo ID and making it harder to amend the state constitution through ballot measures. Lawmakers failed to pass most proposals earlier this year, but proponents are signaling they will try again in 2022.

The proposals come as GOP legislators indulge lingering conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 presidential election. Missouri Republicans are also keen on curbing Democrats’ success at passing progressive policies through statewide votes. Medicaid expansion, medical marijuana and minimum wage increases have all been approved by voters in recent years.