Attorney General Jay Nixon's Statement on Elimination of Campaign Contribution Limits

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After Gov. Blunt signed a law to eliminate campaign contribution limits, Attorney General Jay Nixon released the following statement:

"This is a sad day for everyone who believes that regular Missourians, not wealthy special interests, should have the most powerful voice in electing our leaders.  As Governor, I would have vetoed this bill the moment it hit my desk and protected the integrity of our campaign finance system.  By signing this bill, Gov. Blunt has cleared the way for big corporations and wealthy interests to give millions to candidates.  It's a clear step in the wrong direction.  Needless to say, Missourians are ready for change."

Attorney General Nixon has long been a proponent of strict contribution limits.  In 1999, he successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of contribution limits [Nixon v. Shrink Missouri Government PAC, No. 98-963, 10/5/1999].

The people of Missouri also support contribution limits -- having voted overwhelmingly in favor of a ballot initiative mandating strict limits in 1994.