A Ghost of Campaign Past

The gloves are officially off in the 135th district Republican primary . . .

A campaign adviser for David Dunn is launching a scathing attack on Rep. Charlie Denison's political tactics, personality and legislative record.

Tim Trower helped run Denison's failed 2002 bid for county commissioner against Democrat Dave Coonrod. Trower says after Denison personally blamed the loss on him, he decided to help try and defeat Denison in the 2004 135th G.O.P. primary. He failed. But now Trower is back, advising David Dunn in his quest to unseat Denison on August 8th.

"Charlie drove campaign staff off, he has poor people skills. A lot of the Republican machinery is not happy with Charlie and they want him gone," Trower said.

Denison said Trower has an ax to grind. "That campaign's come and gone," Denison said of the 2002 race. "That's gone, that's history. The guy's got some mental problems if he's hanging on to stuff that long."

Why the bad blood? Trower said he repeatedly watched Denison degrade campaign workers, driving volunteers and fundraisers from the campaign. Trower describes Denison as stubborn, aloof and at times, downright mean.

"One time in a meeting a girl floated an idea on a fundraising leaflet, and Charlie said, 'It's a stupid idea, it won't work.' My wife never came back to a meeting and neither did a lot of the Evangel students," Trower said, recalling an incident during the 2002 campaign.

Trower also said he helped Denison run a nasty campaign against Coonrod. "We did run a dirty campaign. Charlie wanted a dirty campaign and I was happy to help him," Trower recalled. Trower said he even apologized to Coonrod on the 4th for how nasty it got.

And, according to Trower, Denison doesn't like to do the retail politics necessary to serve his constituents. "In the race for commissioner, I think I got him out knocking on doors for 3 hours," Trower said. "I mean you got to knock on doors, but Charlie didn't want to do the work."
Denison said he didn't do a parade on the fourth of July. He said he spent time relaxing.

Trower said that on election night 2002, when results started pouring in and Denison wanted to concede, Trower advised him to wait until 60% of precincts had reported. "He looked at me, face beat red and said, 'That's the kind of attitude that made you cost me this election,'" Trower said.
Denison said the reason he had disagreements with Trower is because Trower was doing the dirty campaigning behind his back. "He did things I would not allow. He did the dirty tricks," Denison said. "Three times I asked him not to do something. One time he put dirty leaflets under officials' chairs in the county courthouse."

Trower said his anger was spent the last time trying to defeat Denison. Now, he claims, he is in it for the issues and for Dunn. "Charlie's not a team player, you never know where he's coming from." Trower said Denison's public statements over the education funding formula had him in hot water with leadership this year. He also said Denison takes credit for things he shouldn't, like the Missouri State name change and a new child booster seat law.

"The truth is, Charlie's bill died and it was another bill that got combined and ultimately passed," Trower said of the booster seat legislation.

Denison said he doesn't expect his race against Dunn to be close. "I don't know his issues. I know his father is a Democrat. I know he's not voted very often," Denison said.

When I asked Denison if he thought Dunn was a closet Democrat, Denison said, "I don't know what he is." Trower assured me Dunn is a true Republican.

Why re-elect Denison? The incumbent cited his endorsements from the Small Business Association and Right To Life. "If these continue, we'll be fine," Denison said.

Denison said he doesn't expect his primary race to be close.
Trower wants more than close. He clearly wants to help knock off this incumbent . . . and possibly settle some scores, as a ghost from a campaign past.