Fact Finders: Are Missouri attorney general candidates taking out of state money?

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3)—You’re seeing several political ads for candidates running for Attorney General of Missouri. One of our viewers wants to know if these guys are taking money from out of state.

We’ll look at them in alphabetical order. Republican Andrew Bailey’s July quarterly campaign report became public on Monday. He’s received $274,000 this quarter. Bailey has numerous donors from Missouri, but he also has donors from New York, Florida, Illinois, and other states. Bailey’s campaign manager says 95 percent of our support comes from inside the state.

Elad Gross is the Democratic candidate for Attorney General. His July quarterly report indicates he raised close to $69,000 this quarter. He also received donations from out of state, including Texas, California, and New Jersey. “Out-of-state money is flowing into Missouri’s race for Attorney General,” Gross says “…over 90% of donations to… my campaign have come from here at home.”

Republican candidate Will Scharf’s July report indicates he took in $530,000 this quarter. He has donors in Virginia, California, and Indiana. Scharf tells me, “We’re proud to be supported by outstanding conservatives here in Missouri and around the country.” Scharf says his campaign does not track the percentage of donations that come from in-state.

Of course, there are Political Action Committees supporting candidates in this and other races. This year, the attorney general’s race includes the Club for Growth Action-Missouri Federal Committee, and the Liberty and Justice PAC.

Returning to the viewer’s question, are these guys taking money from out of state? The answer is yes.

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