In 2016, Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment to limit campaign donations after years of no-limit spending on politics. However, crafty consultants found ways around the limits, leading to the creation of affiliated committees that allow for unlimited giving. The 2024 elections saw large donations to PACs supporting single candidates, with some groups using multiple PACs to obscure the original source of funds.
Candidates with affiliated PACs won statewide and Senate races, with the biggest spender being American Dream PAC supporting Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s campaign for governor. Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck received donations from multiple PACs linked to the same source. Various lobbying groups also used multiple PACs to donate to candidates while staying within limits.
The Missouri Ethics Commission, tasked with enforcing campaign finance laws, faced challenges in meeting quorums to address complaints. Transparency and the potential for corruption remain key issues in the debate over campaign finance limits. While some argue for unlimited donations for transparency, others stress the importance of clear sources of funding to prevent undue influence. The focus is on creating a system that ensures openness and fairness in campaign financing. Join us in our mission to inform and empower the public through impactful journalism.
Source
Photo credit missouriindependent.com