Koster accepts money from conservative businessman
Democratic attorney general candidates face off over donations.
Published Oct. 23, 2007
The October Missouri Ethics Commission report for Sen. Chris Koster, D-Harrisonville, who is running for Missouri attorney general, revealed he received about $100,000 from political action committees started by retired businessman Rex Sinquefield, a conservative.
Koster switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party in August.
Rep. Jeff Harris, D-Columbia, who is also a candidate in the Missouri attorney general election, said he doubts Koster's legitimacy in switching parties.
"I believe he was afraid of a primary race against Catherine Hanaway because he feared that Republican primary voters would desert him because of his view on stem-cell research," Harris said. "He also knows that 2008 will be a good year for Democrats."
Harris said if Koster is a Democrat, he should not be taking money from a strong conservative.
"Mr. Sinquefield has made it very clear what his opinions and beliefs are, and he is entitled to those opinions and beliefs," Harris said. "What Democrats have a problem with is that Koster says he is a Democrat and he is taking money from an ultra-right-wing conservative. If Koster wants to be a Democrat, he should give back all of that Republican money."
Koster's campaign spokeswoman Elisabeth Smith said the money's source will not affect Koster's positions.
"He knew where the money was coming from," Smith said. "However, regardless of where Chris' political donations come from, he will continue to fight for the same things he has fought for his entire public service career."
Smith said Koster switched parties because of his beliefs, not as a political move.
"Chris switched parties because he was at a crossroads where he could change his beliefs to fit his party or change his party to fit his beliefs, and he chose the latter," Smith said.
Harris said the source of the money will have an effect on voters' perspectives in the
election.
"Democratic primary voters are aware that he has taken six figures from a Republican," Harris said. "They are already suspicious of a Republican who has become a Democrat, and this will only add to the suspicion. I believe the voters are seeing him for who he truly is."
Smith said she is not surprised that opposing candidates have jumped on this issue as hard as they have.
"Chris is the only candidate in the Democratic primary who has worked in Missouri's law enforcement committee and he has more cash on hand than his Democratic opponents combined," Smith said. "He has also received the overwhelming majority of organized labor endorsements in the Democratic primary."
Smith said the large number of organizations contributing to Koster's campaign shows why he is the strongest Democratic candidate.
"The diversity of Chris' supporters shows why he is the strongest Democratic candidate to help lead a ticket to defeat an extremist Republican Party and take back our state legislature," Smith said.
Smith said Koster will work hard during the next year to show voters why he believes he is the best candidate.
"Over the next year, Chris will communicate with voters about his law-enforcement experience, his strong record of standing up for working families and protecting lifesaving research in the Missouri Senate," Smith said.
Harris said his experience as assistant attorney general makes him the best candidate for the job.
"I'm the only candidate in this race who has served under a Democratic attorney general when I was an assistant attorney general," Harris said. "I am the person who led the fight against Matt Blunt's agenda. I am the most qualified candidate in this race."
Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-St. Louis, who is also running in the Democratic primary for attorney general, could not be reached for comment.
Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, is running unopposed in the Republican primary for attorney general.