Richest Missouri Campaign Ever

Proponents of MIssouri’s stem cell ballot initiative have alreaady spent more than twice as much as any other campaign in the state’s history, thanks to funds from billionaires Jim and Virginia Stowers, founder of American Century mutual funds. They’ve donated more than 97 percent — $28 million — of the campaign funds. Aftersurviving cancer, the […]

Proponents of MIssouri's stem cell ballot initiative have alreaady spent morethan twice as much as any other campaign in the state's history, thanks to funds from billionaires Jim and Virginia Stowers, founder of American Century mutual funds. They've donated more than 97 percent -- $28 million -- of the campaign funds.

Aftersurviving cancer, the two donated more than $1.5 billion to form theStowers Institute, which seeks to find cures for disease through stemcell research.

The Stowerses have declined interviews throughout the campaign. OnMonday, the couple's spokesman described their political spending as anextension of their philanthropy.

"They are cancer survivors who are able to fund research that benefitsthe whole of Missouri," said David Welte, a Kansas City lawyer whorepresents the couple.

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Stem cell reseaerch opponents accuse them of trying to buy a a constitutional amendment, calling their efforts "Astroturf" rather than grassroots.

Missourians Against Human Cloning, a group campaigning against the ballot measure, has raised less than $500,000. The LifeCommunications Fund and the Missouri Roundtable for Life, have raisedabout $1 million combined.