Richard: Governor says he will return all of his contributions

Speaker-in-waiting Ron Richard, R-Joplin, says Gov. Matt Blunt told him he would return all of the $4 million plus in his campaign account to the contributors.
Richard's assertion, given to John Hacker of The Carthage Press, has been the only one so far which has been that definite in saying the money will be returned and not given to another state campaign or committee:

Richard said Blunt told him he plans to give all of the $4,009,541.09 in his re-election campaign fund back to the donors who gave it to him.

Richard said with that much money going back to Republican donors, someone should be able to raise money quickly and separate himself or herself from the pack.

"The one who can raise a million dollars in the next two weeks will be the one who stays in," Richard said. "With all that money Matt's sending back, someone will be able to do it."