Text of the Cunningham Letter

Click here to download a pdf copy of the full text of Rep. Jane Cunningham's letter, in which she directly links her position as Education Chair to campaign contributions.

In comments to the press this weekend (scroll down to second item), Speaker Rod Jetton tried to brush the letter off as Cunningham merely wanting credit for her political activities. This letter goes much further than that. It directly links campaign contributions with her official role on the Education Committee.

Clearly, neither Jetton, nor Cunningham grasp the gravity of this situation. Click here for other coverage of the Cunningham scandal.

Note several key passages from Cunningham's letter:

• She brags about her relationship with the Anti-Public Education group, All Children Matter (ACM).
• She assures GOP members that if she retains her Chairmanship, ACM's involvement in future campaigns "will be enhanced."
• She makes a direct link between her position on the committee and campaign contributions: "I was able to attract ...generous PAC money in large part because of my chairmanship of the Missouri House Education Committee."
• In case you missed the point, she repeats the link: "Remaining in that leadership position will help secure the continuation of these benefits to our caucus and to the State."
• Once again she explicitly states that her political activities that she had previously outlined in the letter should be considered when evaluating her for the position of chair: "...I believe the information is important to consider as you decide on your chairmanship recommendations."