Missouri Ethics Commission imposes fee of $8,781 against Jay Ashcroft

The Missouri Ethics Commission imposed a fee of $8,781 against former Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and his campaign committee after investigating a legal complaint about a fundraising letter sent during his 2024 gubernatorial campaign. 

In a consent order filed Feb. 6, Ashcroft acknowledged that his campaign committee – Ashcroft for Missouri – worked with Committee for Liberty to send a letter to potential donors but failed to report that support as an in-kind donation, as required by MEC. 

“On multiple occasions, the Missouri Ethics Commission said it was permissible to fundraise with an affiliated (political action committee),” Ashcroft said Feb. 13, in an interview with the Springfield Business Journal. 

He added: “I relied upon that, and they pursued me for it.” 

According to the consent order, the MEC investigated the alleged campaign finance law complaint and determined there were “reasonable grounds to believe violations of the law had occurred.” 

Ashcroft and the PAC jointly paid for the cost of the letter. Both reported spending $5,361 in connection with the letter in July 2024 quarterly reports to the MEC, but Ashcroft’s report failed to identify the amount as an in-kind contribution to the PAC. 

The size of the contribution is also an issue, the MEC stated. Missouri limits the campaign contribution per election for gubernatorial candidates to $2,825.  

The letter sent on Ashcroft for Missouri letterhead and signed by Ashcroft outlined Ashcroft’s political platform, included a request for donations and used language in support of his candidacy.  

The letter included a return envelope and a paid-for disclosure: “Paid for by Ashcroft for Missouri, Gene McNary treasurer, and Committee of Liberty, Mark Milton treasurer.” The Committee for Liberty PAC was formed in 2019, according to MEC records. 

As Secretary of State from 2017 through January 2025, Ashcroft served as the state’s chief elections official and overseeing statewide elections. 

Ashcroft ran for governor in 2024 but lost in the August primary to Mike Kehoe, who was later elected. 

The MEC imposed a fee of $8,781, but according to the consent order Ashcroft will only have to pay $3,558 if the amount is paid within 45 days and does not commit any additional violation of campaign finance laws in the next two years. 

In recent years, MEC has faced significant delays in investigating complaints because it did not have the required four-member quorum, appointed by the governor, to take action. Kehoe has appointed new members in 2025, including former Springfield Mayor Ken McClure, to help clear the backlog, according to a July 11, 2025 news release from the governor’s office. 

Ashcroft told SBJ he will pay the $3,558 fee next week. Ashcroft said the consent order does not include an admission of wrongdoing and he briefly considered rejecting the consent order. 

“It was either pay the fine or pay probably $20,000 to $30,000 to fight it in court,” he said, noting the process may have taken a year or longer. Ashcroft said he also did not want the MEC to have to spend taxpayer funds to go to court. 

Ashcroft said he will not seek public office again and is currently working in the legal field.