Springfield Republican Leader Endorses Jay Nixon for Governor

Former Rep. Chuck Wooten Says Jay Nixon will "get our state back on the right track"

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Former State Rep. Chuck Wooten (R-Greene County) today announced his endorsement of Attorney General Jay Nixon for Governor, citing Nixon’s record of cracking down on crime and commitment to Missouri’s veterans.
 
"As a veteran and former member of the Missouri House, I'm proud to strongly support Jay Nixon for Governor," Rep. Wooten said.  "During his 16 years as Attorney General, Jay has always been tough on crime, and he has always stood up for veterans.  I know he’d do the same as Governor.  Too often, Washington has let us down when it comes to making sure we have the health care and benefits we deserve.  Over the years, I’ve gotten to know Jay Nixon, and I know he’s the right man for the job.  He’ll get our state back on the right track."

Former Rep. Wooten, a veteran of the Navy, represented Greene County (District 137) in the Missouri House of Representatives. Prior to that, Rep. Wooten served as the Mayor Pro Tem of Springfield and as a member of the Springfield City Council.

Rep. Wooten is the latest Republican to endorse Attorney General Nixon for Governor. A couple weeks ago, St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano, a Republican, endorsed Nixon.  Today, the Kansas City Star reported that Congressman Kenny Hulshof is having problems gaining traction among Republicans. (See the Star article: http://www.kansascity.com/775/v-print/story/838315.html) 

As Rep. Wooten noted in his endorsement, Attorney General Nixon has a strong record of standing up for Missouri veterans:

Jay Nixon Obtained $900,000 Judgment For Missouri Veterans Needing Daily Medical And Skilled-Nursing Care.  Jay Nixon’s office, in May 2008, representing the Missouri Veterans Commission in court, secured more than $900,000 from the federal government as reimbursement for providing care at the veterans home in Warrensburg.  The settlement could help "seven veterans homes operated by the State of Missouri, which provide 24-hour medical care and skilled nursing care for eligible veterans."  Although the federal government had denied the state’s claim for seven years, Jay Nixon continued to stand up for Missouri veterans – and finally secured these vital funds.  [Missouri Attorney General’s Press Release, 5/21/08, http://ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2008/Veterans_homes_to_receive_funds_after_court_ruling/]

Jay Nixon Stopped Web Site Operators Who Misrepresented Themselves As A Tax-Exempt Charity To Help Military Veterans; Obtained $20,000 Ruling. Jay Nixon, in March 2008, "obtained a temporary restraining order to stop an organization [RCT Development Association] in Independence from representing that it operates a tax-exempt charity to help military veterans…. Nixon said the defendants made several misrepresentations to potential donors, including claiming that donations would be tax-deductible." A month later, in April 2008, Nixon obtained a court order that would ensure that the organization "permanently stop representing that it operates a tax-exempt charity to help military veterans and its operators will jointly pay $21,851 in restitution, costs and penalties." 
[Missouri Attorney General’s Press Release, 3-7-08; http://ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2008/030708.htm ;  Missouri Attorney General’s Press Release, 4-28-08, http://ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2008/Court_order_against_RCT_Development_Association_Chris_Ann_McPherson_Russell_Rose_Timothy_Divers_Helping_Our_Heroes/]

Jay Nixon Has Helped Educate Veterans And Their Spouses About The Benefits Available From The Federal Government.  Jay Nixon, in June 2008, alerted "Missouri veterans or their widows" that they "may be paying fees to help them access veterans benefits, when that assistance is free from several government agencies and non-profit organizations." Nixon said, "Some insurance companies, so-called veterans benefits specialists and others offer assistance for a fee to veterans and their family members with filling out forms, contacting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and helping determine what level of benefit may be available.  While it is not illegal to charge a fee for these services, Nixon reminds veterans and their families that there are a number of government agencies and non-profit organizations whose mission is to provide this assistance at no charge. Nixon says another risk is that the for-profit companies may give faulty advice about which benefits to apply for. That could cause consumers to be overpaid by the VA, which means they might have to repay money in the future."  Nixon supplied Missouri veterans and their spouses with reputable organizations that provide free assistance to Missouri veterans and family members.  [Missouri Attorney General Press Release, 6-24-08, http://ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2008/Do_not_pay_for_veterans_benefits_you_can_get_for_free/]