A presidential election year, coupled with a good number of statewide races, could see record fundraising goals reached in Missouri. The effort to raise dollars in the race for the Governor’s office is kicking into high gear. Three statewide office holders are in the race for Governor this year. Governor Bob Holden is facing a challenge from State Auditor Claire McCaskill in the Democratic primary. The winner is expected to face Republican Secretary of State Matt Blunt in November. Governor Holden has raised the most money. But Shari Bax, a political science professor at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, says Blunt’s formal announcement that he’s a candidate will bring him a lot of cash from supporters who have been waiting on the sidelines. Bax thinks McCaskill’s main source of dollars will be from disgruntled Democrats and from Democrats wanting to hedge their bets. But, it’ll be tough because of Holden’s name recognition. Bax says it’s unlikely that political contributions will buy votes, but those dollars might buy access to the candidates.