Peter Rugg

of the Muscatine Journal

MUSCATINE, Iowa - Although Muscatine County is distributed nearly even among registered Republicans and Democrats, it's the Republican candidates who are getting most of the money.

A review of Federal Election Commission (FEC) records shows approximately $164,139 in political contributions coming from donors in Muscatine County, 97 percent of which went to Republican candidates and groups. The figures are a sharp contrast to the overall state totals of 35.9 percent of contributions going to Democrat candidates and groups and 63.7 percent going to Republican candidates and groups. The figures were listed for the 2004 election cycle, covering the last two years.

Muscatine County has 9,960 registered Republicans, 7,717 registered Democrats and 11,106 registered Independents.

"I've found you have a very pro-business attitude here, part of which is we have so many large corporations," said Michael Frye, a local business owner who's donated $4,050 to Republican causes, before praising Republicans for their business sense. "And they've (local business owners) been very instrumental in trying to elect pro-business types of people."

Frye, owner of Frye Builders & Associates, added that one of the reasons he donated was to stay educated on legislation.

"I get invites a couple times a year to go in for training and briefing on topics like taxes and legislation," he said. "I find it's helpful to my business to have an understanding of what's going on. There's a lot of bad information out there."

The top donations in Muscatine County all come from city of Muscatine residents, many of whom are executives at HNI Corp., Kent Feeds and Stanley Consultants.

Stan Askren, an HNI Corp. executive, donated $4,850 to Republican causes, according to the FEC. David Stanley, of Stanley, Lande & Hunter law firm, donated $18,750 to Republicans. Lean Investments, LLC president George Koenigsaecker donated approximately $11,250.

Ed Failor Sr. president of Iowans for Tax Relief, said he believes the donations were motivated by the credentials of the Republican candidates.

"They're better candidates than the Democrats put up and they usually have more experience," he said. Failor himself has given the Republicans $5,800 in the past two years. "You get the ultimate perk and that's getting a better community and better people in government."

Betty McMahon, co-chair for the Muscatine County Democrats, agreed with Frye's statement regarding corporate influences on donations in Muscatine.

"They know which side their bread is buttered on," she said.

Contact: 563-263-2331 Ext. 322. E-mail peter.rugg@muscatinejournal.com

Individual Donations in Muscatine County by Town

Moscow $1,365

West Liberty $5,050

Wilton $4,460

Muscatine $149,964

Nichols $3,000

Top 10 Individual Donors in Muscatine County and recipients as listed by the Federal Election Commission

Stan Askren, HNI Corp. executive, $4, 850, Republican candidates and groups

Ed Failor Sr., president of Iowans for Tax Relief, $5,800, Republican candidates and groups

Mike Frye, owner Frye Builders & Associates, $4,050, Republican candidates and groups

James Kent, Kent Feeds Inc. president, $6,250, Republican candidates and groups

George Koenigsaecker, Lean Investments, LLC president, $11,520, Republican candidates and groups

Jack Michaels, HNI Corp. executive, $3,050, Republican candidates and groups

Christine Michaels, homemaker, $3,350, Republican candidates and groups

David M. Stanley, Stanley, Lande & Hunter attorney, $18,750, Republican candidates and groups

Jean L. Stanley, homemaker, $11,520, Republican candidates and groups

Richard H. Stanley, $8,200, Republican candidates and groups, John Kerry and the Democratic National Committee Service Corp