JEFFERSON CITY - While Governor Blunt and Republican leaders are cracking down on illegal immigrants in Missouri, Jay Nixon remains eerily silent about a political survey in which he unequivocally supported providing state sponsored benefits to illegal immigrants.

According to a 1998 Project Vote Smart survey completed by Nixon, he clearly supported the following immigration issue included in the survey: “Prohibit states from passing laws that deny human services (medical care, education) to illegal immigrants or their children.” A copy of the Vote Smart Survey is available at http://www.mogop.org/media/votesmart.pdf

Then, in an April interview with Springfield television station KY-3, Nixon was asked about the survey, to which he responded: “I honestly don’t remember what was on that. I mean I have to look at that. I just don’t remember doing it.” Four months later, Nixon has never explained his response, which is in stark contrast to Gov. Matt Blunt’s aggressive initiatives to combat illegal immigration in Missouri that are receiving national attention.

“It is extremely troubling that in his 14 years as the self-described chief law enforcement officer of the state, Nixon’s only public statement on immigration is that he fully supports providing state-sponsored benefits to illegal immigrants,” said Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party.