This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Oct. 27, 2011 - When John Brunner kicked off his U.S. Senate campaign earlier this month, the Republican highlighted his business acumen as the head of Vi-Jon, a family-founded company that makes personal care products, notably Germ-X.
His official launch even took place in a Vi-Jon warehouse in St. Charles, where he was surrounded by supportive employees.
But now he's blaming federal policies for the company's newly disclosed hard times.
A Vi-Jon official confirmed today that an undisclosed number of employees has been laid off at the company, which is headquartered in Vinita Park and employs about 1,500 workers in facilities in several states.
The official, Scott Wilson, blamed "business conditions,'' but declined further comment.
Brunner campaign chief John Hancock contended, however, that "this situation precisely underscores that Washington is in a state of crisis."
The layoffs, said Hancock, reflected "the longterm effects of overregulation, high taxes and out-of-control spending."
The job reductions were a first for Vi-Jon, Hancock added, and exemplified that "businesses all across this country are taking steps they haven't taken before."
It's unclear when Brunner found out about the job cuts. What he didn't mention at his kickoff was that the firm, founded by his grandfather, was sold in 2006 to a private equity firm, Boston-based Berkshire Partners.
Brunner remained as chief executive until he stepped down in 2009. Now his official title is "chairman emeritus."
In any case, the timing of the layoffs wasn't particularly politically opportune for Brunner, who is using some of his own money to help bankroll his quest to unseat U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.
Brunner faces two Republican rivals: U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-Wildwood, and former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman.
Akin's campaign declined comment on V-Jon's financial troubles. But Steelman said the matter was among the issues that needed to be made public.
"This is what is to be expected when you enter the public eye," Steelman said in a statement. "Voters want to know all about their candidates; how they make decisions, what they've accomplished, what their record is, where they stand on the issues. This is why I have been calling for a debate."
