Nixon to repay state for political use of car

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Jay Nixon's gubernatorial campaign said Friday that it will reimburse the state for the Democratic attorney general's use of his state car and staff for political events.

The reversal comes after Nixon staunchly defended the practice, claiming it was appropriate for the state to pay for the police-style car and accompanying staff because he is always on official duty -- even when campaigning.

Although he will now reimburse the state, Nixon does not plan to stop using the state vehicle or attorney general's office staff for campaign events, because he still believes they are necessary for his security, said Nixon's campaign manager, Ken Morley.

And Nixon still insists he has not violated a state law that prohibits state vehicles from being used for private purposes, Morley said.

"The attorney general's security protocols are entirely appropriate and they are entirely necessary," Morley said. But "the campaign is willing to reimburse for these expenses to avoid even the appearance of impropriety."

Decision to pay

Nixon defended his use of the state vehicle as recently as Thursday at a news conference in Kansas City.

But Morley said he talked with Nixon about it Friday and the campaign decided it should not only reimburse the state for future political travels but also will pay the state back for previous political trips dating to the 2006 or 2004 elections.

"The campaign is going to begin voluntarily reimbursing the state for the attorney general's security and transportation needs, so we can move this debate back to the issues that really matter to folks," such as health care and affordable higher education, Morley said.

The campaign will reimburse both for the vehicle use and the staff members' time spent at political events. Morley said he has not yet calculated the tab.

Nixon's campaign challenged Republican Gov. Matt Blunt's campaign to also reimburse the state for security and vehicle use at political events and for when Blunt travels between the Governor's Mansion and his private home in Springfield.

Blunt also travels to campaign events in a state vehicle. But unlike for the attorney general, a 2005 state law specifically requires the Missouri State Highway Patrol to provide transportation and security for the governor.

Blunt campaign reacts

Blunt campaign spokesman John Hancock said the governor has no plans to change his vehicle travel policy, because it already complies with state law.

"I suppose it's gratifying when an elected official decides to stop breaking the law," Hancock said about Nixon's decision. But "it is troubling that it has taken so long for Jay Nixon to reach the same conclusion that everyone else reached."

Nixon's state car came into the spotlight last week when the Missouri Republican Party highlighted two videos posted on YouTube.com showing Nixon arriving in the Ford Crown Victoria at what appears to be campaign fundraisers.

The attorney general's office later acknowledged that Nixon always travels in the car, including for personal and political events, and had reimbursed the state only for the mileage commuting between his Jefferson City home and office.

Nixon has been running for governor since late 2005, though the election is not until November 2008.