Once estranged, Peter Kinder and David Humphreys are back together again

Back in 2011, Missouri GOP benefactor David Humphreys was fed up with Peter Kinder.

At the time, Kinder was embroiled in intense controversy over his relationship with a former stripper who had once appeared as a Penthouse Pet.

Kinder should resign as lieutenant governor, said Humphreys, who wound up donating several hundred thousand dollars to Kinder’s 2012 primary opponent, Brad Lager.

But that’s now changed.

As St. Louis Public Radio reporter Jo Mannies and others have noted this week, Humphreys is back with Kinder, now a candidate for governor. This week, Humphreys, the chief executive of Tamko Building Products of Joplin, and his sister, donated $250,000 each to Kinder.

That’s significant, because Kinder’s struggle to raise money has remained his greatest weakness in his campaign against three other Republicans: Catherine Hanaway, John Brunner and Eric Greitens.

Kinder had just about $700,000 in his campaign account, so the Humphreys’ contributions are providing him with a considerable boost. The donations, in fact, are helping Kinder launch his own round of advertising on Monday.

Exactly what’s behind the reconciliation is unknown. David Humphreys rarely speaks to reporters, and Kinder’s camp is saying little about the donations.

This story was originally published June 4, 2016 at 12:17 AM.