National Republicans and dark money groups spent nearly $3 million in an attempt to prevent Missourians from making their voices heard on the state’s new gerrymandered map, new campaign finance data shows.
It’s no surprise why: A plurality of Missouri voters hate Republicans’ scheme to split communities, decide future elections, and ignore the will of the people.
Despite Republicans’ best efforts, more than 300,000 Missourians – nearly three times the number needed – signed a petition to pause the gerrymandered map until voters have a chance to weigh in on it themselves.
DCCC Spokesperson Lindsay Reilly:
“Rather than focus on lowering costs, strengthening the economy, or keeping communities safe, national Republicans poured millions into Missouri to try to stop voters from making their voices heard. Missourians will hold Republicans up and down the ballot accountable for their blatant attempt to rig Missouri’s congressional map – starting with the already vulnerable and deeply unpopular Ann Wagner.”
In case you missed it…
Democracy Docket: GOP spent $2.9 million to stop Missourians from voting on gerrymander
- When opponents of Missouri’s new, GOP-backed congressional map began gathering signatures to advance a ballot measure to veto the map, they faced an onslaught of opposition from Republicans.
- GOP officials filed lawsuits, attempted to get signatures disqualified, wrote biased ballot language to confuse voters, sent out intimidating text messages to Missourians, and even threatened to sic immigration officers on signature gatherers.
- Now, a new ethics report has revealed that the Republican Party spent $2.9 million on efforts to defeat the signature drive.
- The Republican National Committee gave Put Missouri First nearly $105,000, and the National Republican Congressional Committee provided another $50,000.
- But the largest donations — $1.45 million each — came from Securing American Greatness, a dark money group that supports President Donald Trump, and the American Action Network, a conservative nonprofit.
- The state’s constitution allows voters to gather signatures in support of a so-called “veto referendum” and put new legislation to a statewide vote. Missouri voters did just that.
- Last month, People Not Politicians submitted over 300,000 signatures in support of the referendum.
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