JEFFERSON CITY — A political action committee backing Missouri’s state treasurer received a $1 million contribution Monday from his old company.
Pacifica Consulting Services, which was registered to Republican Vivek Malek until he was appointed treasurer by Gov. Mike Parson in December 2022, wrote the massive check to the American Promise PAC, ratcheting up the intensity in what could be a tight GOP primary in August.
Malek, a political unknown until Parson chose him to replace outgoing Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, now holds a commanding lead in the fundraising department, reporting more than $2.5 million across two accounts through April 1.
The latest contribution pushes his campaign war chest above the $3 million level. None of his opponents have cracked the $1 million level, according to filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
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Rep. Cody Smith, R-Carthage, is among six Republicans running for the seat. The current chairman of the House Budget Committee reported having $505,000 in his account heading into the summer campaign season.
Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, reported having $181,130 on hand as of April 1.
Springfield attorney Lori Rook ended the most recent fundraising quarter with nearly $507,000 in her account.
Other GOP candidates include Tina Goodrick, of St. Joseph, and Karan Pujji, of Berkeley.
Mark Osmack is the lone Democrat seeking the post. He made an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 2018.
As treasurer, Malek manages $1 billion in unclaimed property, oversees a small-business and agriculture economic development program, and administers the state’s education and disability savings plans.
Malek came to the U.S. in 2001 from India to study at Southeast Missouri State University.
He built a law practice as an immigration attorney and also ran an apartment rental company. He launched Pacifica Consultants in 2008 to assist foreign students in gaining admittance to American colleges.
He exited Pacifica on Dec. 23, 2022, two days after Parson announced his surprise pick, putting the company under control of Pamela Polk at the same address as his law firm.
Malek, a Wildwood resident who is the first person of color to hold statewide office in Missouri, has scrambled to raise his name recognition.
Earlier this year, he came under heavy fire from a House committee over his partnership with a gas station gambling company, in which the company placed stickers promoting the state’s unclaimed property program on their machines with his name on them.
He ended the partnership with Torch Electronics on Feb. 28.