Attorney General's News Release

March 15, 2000

Nixon files immediate appeal in effort to protect Missouri laws limiting campaign donations

Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon today asked the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn yesterday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry which prevents enforcement of a Missouri law limiting the amount of donations a political party can give to a candidate.

Nixon's appeal in the 8th Circuit comes on the heals of his victory in the U.S. Supreme Court defending Missouri's 1994 law limiting individual donations to candidates. Donations from political parties to candidates were limited under the same state law, which received bipartisan support in the Missouri legislature. The law is now being challenged by the Missouri Republican Party.

"We are seeking an immediate appeal in an effort to close this loophole," Nixon said. "The challengers to this law are doing nothing more than seeking to circumvent the will of the people, the law of the state and the wisdom of the highest court in the land. With unlimited donations by parties to candidates, there is no way to determine who the money is from and which special interest is directing money to which candidate."

In February, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an Alaska case which upheld a state law setting limits on the amount parties can donate to candidates.

"The victory in state court and the court's refusal to hear the case out of Alaska supports our position that the Supreme Court has spoken on this issue and any further delay is merely an effort to circumvent the law and buy elections," Nixon said.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818