Blunt, Nixon trying to redirect refund checks

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Republican Gov. Matt Blunt and his Democratic challenger, Attorney General Jay Nixon, have begun refunding millions of dollars to big donors in compliance with a state Supreme Court decision reinstating Missouri's campaign contribution limits.

But Blunt and Nixon are both trying to redirect that money to their state political parties, which could still use it for their benefit.

Along with his refund checks to contributors, Blunt has enclosed a self-addressed stamped envelope, a contribution form to the state Republican Party and a letter saying "The Missouri Republican Party can still accept unlimited contributions."

Nixon also has included a letter with his campaign refund checks. It offers no similar encouragement on what to do with the money, but a Nixon spokesman confirmed the campaign is calling some donors to point out that they can give the money to the Missouri Democratic Party.

Blunt and Nixon are expected to face each other in the 2008 gubernatorial election. Their campaigns provided copies of the letters accompanying their refund checks at the request of The Associated Press.