Missouri Utilities Directed Five Times More Money to Republicans Than Democrats Ahead of Midterms

Investor-owned utilities in Missouri are pouring money into state political races ahead of the midterm elections, including into campaigns of officials who are not on the ballot this year. An analysis by the Energy and Policy Institute, a utility watchdog group, found that Republican candidates received far more of that money than Democrats.

The analysis found that utilities and their political action committees reported spending about $2.4 million in Missouri races across 2025 and 2026. "Anytime you get into the seven figures, that's a meaningful influence on the political state of a state," said Jonathan Kim, research and communications manager at the institute.

Kim reviewed Missouri Ethics Commission data and found that companies such as Ameren, Evergy and Spire put roughly five times as much behind Republican politicians as behind Democrats. About $1.6 million went to Republican-aligned PACs, compared with $328,000 to Democrat-aligned PACs.

Support for Senate Bill 4, a sweeping utility measure passed in 2025, also appeared to matter. "We saw about three quarters of spending to candidates go to folks that voted for SB4, including folks coming from the utilities and energy committees," Kim said, adding that only about 10% went to those who opposed the legislation.

Gov. Mike Kehoe has also been a notable recipient. When he ran for governor in 2024, utility companies contributed more than $400,000 to his campaign. Kehoe has made expanding energy production a priority, creating a nuclear power task force and directing the Department of Natural Resources to develop a state energy plan. He is not on the ballot this year, but over the past two years utilities have given about $175,000 to the Kehoe-affiliated American Dream PAC.

Kim said Missouri's pattern differs from other Midwestern states. Utility campaign spending in Wisconsin is down this year despite a high-profile governor's race, and Michigan voters will decide on a ballot proposal to ban utility campaign spending entirely.

Several individual lawmakers stand out in the data. Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O'Laughlin, R-Shelbina, received $205,000 from utilities and affiliated PACs. In the Lee's Summit race for the seat of term-limited Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Republican who chaired the Senate energy committee, utilities have backed both candidates. Outgoing House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Republican, received $71,000, while Democratic Rep. Keri Ingle received $11,400.

In Senate District 10, where Google and Amazon are developing power-hungry artificial intelligence data centers, Republican Mike Deering of Montgomery County received $36,000 in reported utility contributions. Deering is executive vice president of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association.

The companies offered limited explanations for their giving. Spire spokesperson Jason Merrill said the company "complies with all legal requirements and ethical standards governing campaign donations" and stays engaged with communities to raise awareness about the value of natural gas and to grow Missouri business.

Ameren said in an emailed statement that it has "robust governance procedures and oversight over all of our political contributions," and that it supports candidates of any party who back sound energy policy. The company stressed that political contributions are not funded by customers' bills. Evergy representatives declined to comment.