Jackson expenses include $258,000 to lobbyists for Saudi Arabia

89th District Rep. Col. Jack Jackson, R-Wildwood, has spared no expense in his efforts to win the state auditor position, according to documents filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
The Jackson campaign is half a million dollars in debt, having received a jumpstart when Jackson put $500,000 of his own money into it on March 20, according to the eight days before the election report and spent more than a quarter of a million dollars during the past month.
Jackson has paid $258,091 to the political consulting firm of Sandler-Innocenzi, based in Alexandria, Va., including $141,576 during the past month. The company, which is handling the advertising campaign and media buys for Jackson, has worked for the Republican National Committee, and made a bundle in the days following Sept. 11, 2001, helping the government of Saudi Arabia mount a public relations campaign to improve its image in the U. S., which include radio ads depicting Saudi Arabia as an ally to the U. S. in the war on terrorism.
Sandler-Innocenzi reportedly received $2.5 million for its work for Saudi Arabia. The firm is registered with the Department of Justice as a foreign agent for the country.
Saudi Arabia may not be the toughest client the firm has worked for. Also on its star-studded list have been such luminaries Tom DeLay and Enron.
Jackson's most recent report shows he received $16,145 in contributions in July and spent $270.958.93, leaving him with $230,849.35.