Hancock & Martin Clash Over Missouri GOP Leadership & Money

(AP) – A battle is brewing over the leadership of the Missouri Republican Party as it looks toward a 2016 election in which nearly all of the state’s offices will be on the ballot.

Republican consultant John Hancock says he plans to challenge state party Chairman Ed Martin in a leadership election that will occur within the next couple of months. Hancock cites concerns about the party’s finances.

There have been times during the past year when the state party had just a few thousand dollars in the bank. Party Treasurer Dick Peerson says the finances are the worst he’s seen in 10 years in the job.

Martin says the party’s finances are fine. He notes Republicans gained seats in both the state House and Senate in 2014 elections.