JEFFERSON CITY - Jeff  Harris’ recent attack against candidates who loan themselves money for their campaigns is an indictment of fellow Democrat Claire McCaskill, who still has not paid back the entire $1.6 million she loaned herself in her failed 2004 bid for governor.

Harris’ comments to the Columbia Daily-Tribune on July 17 that “it’s unfortunate when you have a candidate who lends themselves money,” and that such loans “send the wrong message” speaks directly to McCaskill, who still owes almost $1.4 million from 2004. McCaskill initially delayed paying the loan back then successfully manipulated Federal Election Commission rules allowing her a narrow exemption to solicit unlimited contributions from special interests to pay off the loan. Even the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in January called McCaskill’s maneuvering “tacky.”

“As a candidate for attorney general, Jeff Harris’ comments are a clear indictment of the $1.6 million loan Claire McCaskill made to herself  during her failed 2004 campaign, and Missourians deserve to know whether Harris considers McCaskill’s loan ‘unfortunate,’ or ‘tacky?’” said Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party. “Harris should also explain to Missourians if he believes whether McCaskill’s manipulation of the campaign finance system is ‘unfortunate’ or ‘tacky?’”