Attorney General's News Release

January 25, 2000

Nixon files to reinstate enforcement of campaign contribution limits on political parties to candidates

Jefferson City, Mo. — In the wake of Monday's landmark Supreme Court decision upholding Missouri's limits on campaign contributions by individuals, Attorney General Jay Nixon has asked the U.S. District Court in St. Louis to allow the state to resume enforcing the limits placed on contributions by political parties to individual candidates.

In his motion filed late yesterday, Nixon asked federal Judge Catherine D. Perry to vacate the preliminary injunction she imposed in January 1998 in the case of Missouri Republican Party, et al. v. Charles Lamb et al. that stays enforcement of the political party limits. Defendant Charles Lamb is executive director of the Missouri Ethics Commission, which enforces campaign contribution laws.

"Lifting this injunction will close a loophole and will stop unlimited backdoor spending to candidates from the party," Nixon said.

Those limits contained in Missouri law for contributions by political parties are $10,750 for statewide candidates; $5,375 for candidates for the state Senate; and $2,700 for candidates for the state House of Representatives. Contributions to candidates for other offices are limited by the law to ten times the amount to which individual contributors are limited.

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