01-04-2025
Two PACs are heavily involved in the Springfield school board race. Here's who's donating
Two political action committees have become heavily involved in the Springfield school board race but only one has been primarily funded by local donors.
The Back on Track America PAC, created in 2022 and active in its fourth April election, reported a total of $42,743 in contributions, almost all of which was raised in the past month.
The United Springfield PAC, created in late 2023 and active in its second April election, reported $159,117, most of which was raised by late February.
Both local PACS filed campaign finance reports Monday with the Missouri Ethics Commission, which are due eight days prior to the April election. Back on Track also filed contribution reports for donations that came in after that deadline.
The reports in 2025 by United Springfield showed only $2,250 — or less than 2% — came from donors who did not have a Springfield address.
They included $2,000 from William Turner, of Strafford, and $250 from Mercy physician Robert Johnson, who listed a Texas address.
At least $33,000 of the funds raised this year by Back on Track — or 79% — originated outside of Springfield. The largest donation was from a PAC based in northwest Missouri. There were also donors from Brighton, Clever, Ozark and Kansas City as well as contributions from donors in Georgia and Texas.
In the school board race, United Springfield endorsed Sarah Hough and Gail Smart. Back on Track endorsed David Myers and incumbent Kelly Byrne. The two candidates with the most votes April 8 will serve three-year, at-large terms on the governing body for Missouri's largest district.
More: Here is where each Springfield school board candidate stands on annualized pay
All but $1,965 of the $42,743 raised this election cycle was logged in the past month. The PAC reported $25,405 in the 8-days before election report plus $17,338 that came in after that deadline.
This year, the PAC donated $2,000 to Myers in the Springfield race. It also donated $620 each to three other area school board candidates: Ozark's Wade Wheeler and Nixa's Bridget Bidinger and Jonathan Lindsay.
The largest donation to Back on Track was $16,500 from the Great Northwest PAC, created in 2023 to "advance and promote the ideals and morals found within the strong people of North Central Missouri and beyond by providing research, support and education of the public about and for candidates seeking elective office." It primarily donated to Republican candidates and supported former state Sen. Bill Eigel's unsuccessful bid for governor in 2024.
Back on Track also received $2,500 from 417 PAC, of Springfield, and $1,000 from the Life and Liberty PAC, of Ash Grove.
Individual donors included $9,710 from Nicole Mingledorff, of Georgia; $2,500 from Gerald Cook, of Ozark; $2,427 from Mitzy McCorvey, of Texas; $1,240 from Michael Hope, of Clever; $1,000 from Norman Ely; $970 from David Lightner, Kansas City; $500 from school board member Maryam Mohammadkhani; $485 from Coby Cullins, Brighton; $290 from state Rep. Alex Riley; and $200 from Norman Knowlton.
Back on Track does not list its leadership or steering committee members on its website. Its stated mission is to "lead the fight to preserve the God-given rights and liberties of the people" and its education goal is to "restore quality education without a social agenda by supporting school board candidates with courage and common sense."
United Springfield reported $159,117 in donations this calendar year and election cycle, up from the $132,792 raised at the same point a year ago.
This year, the PAC donated $5,000 to board candidates Hough and Smart and City Council incumbents Heather Hardinger and Matthew Simpson.
The largest donor this year was local manufacturer Jeff Hutchens, who gave $10,416. William Turner, a banker, gave $2,000.
Most of the funds were raised and reported by the last deadline in late February. The nine donors this month included $1,000 from Chandler Carlson and $500 each from Tom Finnie, Steve Edwards and Shara Cash.
The PAC backs candidates in local nonpartisan races. Its stated mission is to support individuals who will unite, not divide, Springfield children, citizens and community.
The group is co-chaired by Jim Anderson and Terri McQueary. Members of the current steering committee include Debbie Shantz Hart, Alexis Childs, Orin Cummings, Steve Edwards, Emily Givens, Jay Guffey, Jeff Johnson, Mark Powell, David Ross, Carol Taylor, and Claire Whitlock.
Smart was part of the inaugural steering committee but stepped prior to running for school board.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield Public Schools board election draws spending by two PACs
