The Missouri Ethics Commission has fined Jay Ashcroft, the former Missouri secretary of state and 2024 gubernatorial candidate, and his campaign committee after finding problems with how a joint fundraising letter was reported during the governor’s race.
Ashcroft, who served as Missouri’s secretary of state from 2017 through January 2025, and his campaign committee, Ashcroft for Missouri, worked with the political committee Committee for Liberty on a donor letter mailed in March 2024. The letter supported his campaign and criticized his opponents.
Investigators found both committees paid $5,361.74 for the mailing but did not properly report the shared cost as required campaign finance disclosures. The commission said the arrangement effectively created an in kind contribution that exceeded Missouri’s $2,825 limit for statewide candidates and was not reported correctly.
Under a consent agreement, Ashcroft and his campaign must follow state campaign finance rules and pay a penalty of $8,781. The commission said part of the fine will be waived if $3,558 is paid within 45 days.
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