By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt spent almost $48,000 in taxpayer money to run newspaper ads that encourage people to go vote Tuesday.
The ad features Blunt's name and picture and will run again on Monday; the day before Blunt faces five little-known opponents in the Republican primary for governor.
As Secretary of State, Blunt is Missouri's chief election official. Campaign spokesman Spence Jackson says it's appropriate to include Blunt's photo and name because of the civic message.
Jackson adds the funding is taken from federal money the state receieved under the Help America Vote law. He says Blunt also spent about 48-thousand dollars on radio and T-V announcements promoting the elections. The T-V spots don't show Blunt.