A4BA comes to Hulshof's defense, attacks Steelman

Americans for a Better America, a Kansas City-based political action committee, launched an assault on State Treasurer Sarah Steelman today with a video airing online and in the southeast region of Missouri.

A4BA's "Missouri Values" ad is in response to an ad from Steelman last week criticizing US Congressman Kenny Hulshof's conservative record.

"Unfortunately Sarah Steelman is in full attack and mislead mode," the voice over in the ad says while suggesting Steelman is not telling the truth about Hulshof.

Steelman and Hulshof are both vying for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Missouri.

"Our mission is to help create an informed citizenry that is cognizant of its role as the ultimate depository of power in our society," a statement on A4BA's website says.

The Steelman ad is the only one available on the group's website and according to several accounts the group was created exclusively to attack Steelman and aid Hulshof in his gubernatorial bid.

The group's website was created on May 14, 2008 but was registered anonymously. No reports or official declarations have yet been filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

The only listed affiliation with the group on the website is Kansas resident Arthur E. Fillmore, II, reportedly the A4BA president. MPN's review of filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission shows Fillmore made a maximum contribution to Gov. Matt Blunt - supposedly a Hulshof supporter - in 2004 and another sizable contribution to Blunt in 2003.

In the last decade, Fillmore also made countless contributions to former US Sen. John Ashcroft, US Sen. Kit Bond (who endorsed Hulshof last month), and the Missouri Republican State Committee.

The group's Treasurer listed on the ad, Steven Gildehaus, donated thousands to Congressmen Roy Blunt and Sam Graves in the last decade, according to OpenSecrets.org. Gildehaus also has a number of contributions to Missouri Republicans including Matt Blunt.

Steelman's campaign spokesman Spence Jackson is not surprisingly firing back today at A4BA, claiming the group is collaborating with Hulshof in its attacks, a charge the group denies.

Related Links:
A4BA Missouri Values ad

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