Chris Koster attended a luncheon with supporters in eastern Jackson County today and thanked them for their support.

Chris Koster and Senator Victor Callahan.

Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee

Individuals attending the luncheon included representatives of Freedom, Inc., La Raza Political Club, the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council, the Firefighters State Council, Teamsters, Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee, Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders, Senator Victor Callahan, Representative Paul LeVota, Representative Jason Holsman, and Democratic Party activist Dutch Newman, among many others.

Koster thanked the crowd for their support and stated, “We didn’t win by a lot, but by enough…Margaret Donnelly and Jeff Harris ran great camapigns, we all need to reach out to their supporters…” He went on to “…thank Democratic activists who gave me a chance…”

Susan Montee stated, “We’ve had these primaries because we’ve had an abundance of great candidates…”

Chris Koster, to his supporters last night:

Remarks by Senator Chris Kostered] [as prepared]

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Thank you.

A little more than one year ago, I reached out to the Missouri Democratic Party in search of a home.

I came looking for a tent that was big and inclusive, that was progressive and heartfelt.  A party that could stand up for the voiceless, govern toward the general welfare, and yet would compete aggressively on the battlefields of law enforcement, low taxes and economic development.

I reached out because I believed that for those who hope to govern Missouri from the common sense center, there’s only one party that can deliver such a promise, and it is today’s Democratic Party.

I stand here tonight to thank you for opening your doors and for giving me a chance.  The Teamsters, the Carpenters, and the Building Trades.  The prosecutors, the police, Deputy Sheriffs, and firefighter across Missouri.  The Stem Cell Research community, Missouri’s business interests who stood alongside Freedom Incorporated and LaRaza and so many others.  All believing that the time has come for strong, compassionate, inclusive, centrist government.

Tonight, the stage is set for the fall campaign.

In less than 100 days, Missouri will choose its next Attorney General, the top law enforcement officer in the state. The Democratic Party has tonight nominated a 10-year prosecutor and law enforcement official. The Republicans have nominated a politician. Trust me when I tell you I will carry this campaign to every corner of Missouri and let the people decide. Whether the next Attorney General will build upon Jay Nixon’s record or tear it down.  Whether the office should be run for broad concerns or special interests. Whether Missouri’s next Attorney General should be a prosecutor or a politician.

To my colleagues in the Democratic Party, Representatives Margaret Donnelly and Jeff Harris, I congratulate both you and your supporters on the races you have run.  Your excellence has made me a better candidate for the fall campaign. We have had our differences, but we have shown the people of Missouri the strength of our party.  A strength that is built upon our diversity of voices and the Big Tent in which we all reside.

Now, we come together as one Party, with one goal – to show the people of Missouri that we are the party that puts progress before partisanship…the mainstream, ahead of the political extreme…

Together for the next three months, we’ll stand up for the hardworking people of Missouri and give them an Attorney General of whom they can all be proud.

We will carry to people of this state a campaign that is progressive, tough, and independent. Like Missouri.

Thank you for your friendship and support.  Now let’s get to work.

At 10:00 a.m. today the Missouri Ethics Commission (pdf) announced the dismissal of the complaints against Chris Koster’s campaign.

August 6, 2008

The Missouri Ethics Commission, at its August 5, 2008 meeting, took the following actions:

08C113 Chris Koster, Cass Co., Sections 130.011(11), 130.031.3 and 130.032 RSMo.

08C113A Economic Growth Council, Cole Co., Sections 130.011(11) and 130.031.3 RSMo.

08C113B Missourians for Koster, Cole Co., Sections 130.031.3 and 130.032 RSMo.

08C114 Chris Koster, Cass Co., Sections 130.011(11), 130.031.3 and 130.032 RSMo.

08C114A Economic Growth Council, Cole Co., Sections 130.011(11) and 130.031.3 RSMo.

08C114B Missourians for Koster, Cole Co., Sections 130.031.3 and 130.032 RSMo.

08C115 Chris Koster, Cass Co., Sections 130.011(11), 130.031.3 and 130.032 RSMo.

08C115A Economic Growth Council, Cole Co., Sections 130.011(11) and 130.031.3 RSMo.

08C115B Missourians for Koster, Cole Co., Sections 130.031.3 and 130.032 RSMo.

The Commission concluded that the information which has been obtained during the investigation of these complaints conducted pursuant to the terms of Section 130.054, RSMo does not support a determination that there are at present reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of the law has occurred as alleged in the complaints, and therefore that the complaints submitted to the Commission must be dismissed.

[emphasis added]

The day after the primary. Great timing, eh?

The Koster campaign issued the following press release:

Koster Welcomes Decision by Ethics Commission

“Today’s action by the Missouri ethics commission puts to rest what has been a political stunt all along.  While welcome, this ruling is not surprising. The campaign has always acted under the guidance of the Commission and within the law.

“As yesterday’s primary results show, voters are sick and tired of politics and partisan games like this politically-motivated ethics complaint.  Now that this sideshow is over and the primary done, I look forward to campaigning across Missouri as the Democratic nominee and talking about who has the law enforcement credentials to be our next chief law enforcement officer.”