Attorney General's News Release

September 11, 2000

Nixon headed to U.S. Supreme Court to close campaign finance loopholes

Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon said today he will ask the United States Supreme Court to close a legal loopholes carved by the state Republican party. The loophole allows unlimited contributions to a candidates if the contributions are funneled through a political party. Nixon was victorious in the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year on a similar challenge to Missouri's campaign finance laws.

A divided three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today ruled in favor of a Republican party lawsuit which challenges a Missouri law limiting contributions by political parties to candidates. Nixon will also file for a stay of the 8th Circuit decision, pending his request for a hearing before the United States Supreme Court. The federal district court upheld the Missouri law limiting contributions to $1,175 in January.

"It is disturbing that the 8th Circuit once again has injected itself into the electoral process at a time when they can effect the outcome of an election. I intend to go right back to the United States Supreme Court to defend this Missouri law that helps take big money out of the political process," Nixon said. "This legal challenge by the Republican party circumvents the will of the people, the law of the state and the wisdom of the highest court in the land. With this loophole in existence there is no way to determine who the money is from and which special interest is directing money to which candidate."

Nixon's earlier Supreme Court victory upheld Missouri's 1994 law limiting individual donations to candidates. Donations by political parties to candidates were limited under the same state law, which is now being challenged by the state Republican party. Missouri law prevents parties from contributing more than $ 11,175 to a candidate, but the law is not currently being enforced because of the legal challenge by the Republican party.

Individual contribution limits have been in effect in Missouri as of Jan.24, 2000. Party contributions were limited effective July 5 until the 8th circuit entered a temporary injunction on July 31. Party contributions have been unlimited since that time.

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