Mo. Lt. Gov. candidate's pledge to donate salary could break law

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A pledge from a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor to donate part of his salary could leave him returning even more money to the state.

That's because it's against state law to promise to take a lower state salary or pledge it to charity. The penalty is one year in jail or a fine of less than $2,500.

Michael Carter, an attorney from St. Charles, is one of six Democrats running for lieutenant governor. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and two other Republicans are also running.

On his campaign Web site, Carter says the office is a part-time job. He says that if he could not find a more meaningful purpose he would give at least $10,000 of his pay to the state or to charity.

Carter did not immediately return a call seeking comment Tuesday.