Mailer Targets Beatty On OverDue Credit Card Bills

A Republican mailer is targeting the Democratic candidate in the #136th House District for his problems with credit card debt.

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"Reckless Nick Beatty has bought more than he can pay for; now he wants Missouri families to do the same," -- G.O.P. Mailer

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Nick Beatty acknowledges the claims in the mailer are true, but calls his struggle "a lesson" and "an advantage" because he says he won't let predatory lenders and credit card companies prey on other people.

A Republican mailer that claims Nick Beatty hasn't paid his credit card bills in Greene County is true, according to the Democratic candidate for the #136th District.

The mailer (pictured above) hit doors in the #136th legislative district this week. It reads: "Reckless Nick Beatty didn't pay his credit card bills and was sued three times in Greene County Court."

"That is true," Beatty said in an interview with the KY3 Political Notebook Thursday. "Those credit cards were sent out to me when I was in graduate school," he added.

Beatty said the overdue bills with three different credit cards companies accumulated during 2007 and 2008 while he was in graduate school. Beatty said the companies should not have granted him credit cards.

"When a credit card comes in the mail with $1000 or $2000 limit, those are kind of hard to turn down, and they know that," Beatty said of the credit card companies that offered him cards. "For anybody in that situation, it's a tough decision to make."

Beatty said he owes about $10,000 to the companies and the court cases are still pending. "I'm still trying to resolve them. I could've declared bankruptcy like Steve Helms for over $70,000, but I didn't want to handle it like that," Beatty said.

When asked if this raises questions about how he would be able to handle and direct taxpayer money in Jefferson City, Beatty said the experience would be helpful going forward. "Life has always been able to teach me. I'll be darned if I let this happen to other people. I think it's an advantage because I understand what happened," Beatty said.

"Everybody's got financial issues. My opponent, his uncle, Doug Burlison, is a perfect example. These are personal issues. I want to focus on the issues that should matter in this campaign like healthcare and education," Beatty added.

Beatty faces Republican Eric Burlison in the #136th House District. The mailer was paid for by the Missouri Republican State Committee in Jefferson City.

Springfield NEA Backs Beatty in 136th

Springfield's chapter of the Missouri's National Education Association is backing Democrat Nick Beatty in the race for the 136th House district.

"Beatty understands the needs of teachers in Springfield," Springfield NEA President Ray Smith said in a statement provided to the KY3 Political Notebook. "He is committed to doing all he can to make sure Springfield's classrooms are a rewarding workplace where teachers facilitate quality education for our young people," Smith added.

According to a Beatty campaign release, of the 1700 Springfield public school teachers, 950 are members of the MNEA. Beatty is facing Republican Eric Burlison in the race to replace outgoing Rep. B.J. Marsh.

The 136th: Beatty vs. Burlison on Health Care

On Monday night, we aired this piece profiling the 136th State House race in Springfield between Democrat Nick Beatty and Republican Eric Burlison. Here, I'm posting their extended answers to my questions. These first two clips highlight the difference in their approaches on health care and specifically, the Medicaid cuts. (Beatty is in the clip above, Burlison is in the clip below.)

ON RESTORING THE MEDICAID CUTS:

Beatty: "It doesn't matter what it's going to cost."

Burlison believes those who hold a job should not not be granted health care by the government. "I think that people who are not able to work . . . it's the state's responsibility."

Can Beatty Turn The #136th Blue?

THE BATTLE FOR SPRINGFIELD'S OPEN HOUSE SEAT

WATCH THE KY3 News @ 10 REPORT HERE

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Missouri State University Professor Nick Beatty is trying to upend conventional wisdom in central and western Springfield by flipping a traditionally Republican House seat being vacated by B.J. Marsh. But Republican Eric Burlison is also working the district hard, and should have some natural demographic advantages.

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In 2006, B.J. Marsh was re-elected 56% to 44% over Democratic challenger James Owen . . . Can Beatty make-up 12 points in an open seat?

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Kellie Freeman Rohrbaugh, who's working for Beatty, tells The Notebook: "We're seeing the McNixican trend in this district, and those voters are more open to listening to Nick."

Marsh Endorses Burlison In 136th House Race

"He’ll continue the work I've started by restoring health care funding for those most vulnerable," writes Rep. B.J. Marsh, in an endorsement letter to his constituents

Outgoing Republican Rep. B.J. Marsh is endorsing Eric Burlison in the race to fill his open seat in Springfield's 136th House District.

Burlison is running against Democrat Nick Beatty to replace Marsh. The term-limited Marsh's endorsement is significant because of his history for political unpredictability.

"It's very important that we elect someone who shares our vision of better government in Jefferson City. I have known Eric Burlison for several years and will be supporting him to fill my seat," writes Marsh in a letter dated Oct. 1st.

In the letter, Marsh specifically points out that he is backing Burlison because "he'll continue the work I've started by restoring health care funding for those most vulnerable." He adds that he's not supporting him because he's a Republican, but rather because he's a good person.

Residents of the 136th district will receive a copy of Marsh’s endorsement, said campaign spokesperson Keith Miller. "We want everyone in the district to know that Marsh backs Eric 100 percent," Miller said.

Here's the rest of Marsh's letter:

Eric shares the same vision of fiscal responsibility, dedicated leadership, and ensuring that our top priorities are properly funded. He’ll fight for quality health care and better schools—without increasing our taxes.

As a Cox Health employee, Burlison understands the issue of health care better than anyone. Eric will also ensure that our schools receive their fair share of state funding.

As a graduate of Springfield Public Schools and Missouri State, he’ll support our schools in the Missouri House as much as I have. Eric has deep roots in the community and understands our needs.

Most important, Eric is someone who will listen to what you have to say. It's refreshing to have a public servant who understands that their job is to serve the people, and not the other way around.

I am not supporting him because he is a Republican. I am supporting him because he is a good person. I will not vote for someone because of a political party. I vote for Republicans and Democrats, and this year will be no exception.

LeVota Chats Up Local House Candidates

"We've out-recruited the Republicans."

135th, 136th, 141st Seem To Be Priorities

WATCH CLIPS WITH THE DEMOCRATIC HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ABOVE

The top-ranking House Democrat in Missouri said that his party has a better chance to pick up seats in the Ozarks this November because fewer voters will be toeing the party line.

At a meeting with Southwest Missouri candidates Thursday, Rep. Paul LeVota identified #136th district candidate Nick Beatty, #135th candidate Nancy Hagan and #141st candidate Ron Shawgo as strong contenders who have a shot at upending their Republican opponents this fall.

"We've out-recruited the Republicans and we have great candidates that really fit the district," LeVota said in an interview.

Asked how repeat candidate Hagan can win a district that's one of the most Republican leaning seats in the state, LeVota replied, "we can win this one." "People are tired of the partisan politics. They're not going to go in and vote Democrat or Republican. They're going to look at each candidate," he said. LeVota pointed out that last cycle Democrats won a seat in Northeast Missouri, an area that's only about 39% Democratic. "You get a strong candidate in a district that works hard, you can win," he said.

#135th Republican Rep. Charlie Denison defeated Hagan 56%-44% in 2006. The vote margin between them was 1,975 votes out of 17,755 cast. Riper territory for the Dems may lie in the #136th, where Rep. B.J. Marsh is term-limited. In 2006, Marsh beat Democrat James Owen by the same margin -- 56% to 44%. But with Marsh unable to run, it's Republican Eric Burlison versus Democrat Nick Beatty.

LeVota also pinpointed the 141st as a potential target. Ron Shawgo is the Democratic candidate there. Republican Jay Wasson holds that seat currently. But the numbers there show that could be a longshot. Wasson defeated his 2006 opponent easily 69% to 31%. Wasson is also one of the most respected lawmaker in southwest Missouri.

LeVota also said he does not think a weaker performance by Barack Obama in southwest Missouri would hurt his candidates. He said close coordination with Jay Nixon's campaign for Governor will help his candidates identify voters and boost turnout in key areas.

The #136th: Beatty Outraises Burlison

The Democratic candidate running to replace Rep. B.J. Marsh in Springfield's #136th lesgislative district has significantly outraised the Republican during the first three months of the year.

Democrat Nick Beatty has reported raising $6,500 from January through March of this year, according to his first quarter campaign finance report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Republican candidate Eric Burlison reported raising $1,035 during that same period. Still, Burlison holds a slight cash-on-hand advantage with $6,949, compared to Beatty's $5,869.

Still, a review of both of their reports shows Beatty with a wider donor base to kick off this election year.

Beatty's contributions include $350 from the #135th Democratic committee, and many contributions from Springfield lawyers, including Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave, The Morrissey Law Firm and Krebs Law Firm. Beatty spent $630 this quarter, including $61.27 at GoDaddy.com, the top internet registrar and web hosting company.

A review of Burlison's first quarter contributions shows most of his money coming from family. He reports $325 from Burlison Holdings, $125 from Courtney Burlison and $100 from Nick Burlison. Candidate Burlison also wrote himself a check of $325. Josh Metsker of Nixa gave Burlison $100. Burlison received $60 in contributions under $100. He spent $250 over the last three months, including $113 at FedEx Kinko's.

Both Burlison and Beatty are running unopposed for their party's nominations for the #136th district seat. With no incumbent, the #136th is widely considered to be the most competitive local legislative race in the Ozarks this year.