Over 16 months ago, I sued a dark money organization. This corporation was buying our government, hiding the names of its donors, and breaking Missouri law. When our governor resigned over it, everyone dropped their investigations.

I couldn't believe it. So I sued. I took this dark money organization to court. I argued that it had to at least follow the few transparency laws Missouri has. I said that if this thing could take taxpayer benefits, it sure could give us some records.

The dark money lawyer argued that the Attorney General was the only one who could do anything about the organization. I said the public could take action too, but I did agree on one thing: Our Attorney General wasn't serving us. I decided to run for Attorney General that day.

I brought a lot of evidence with me. The judge wouldn't accept it, so I put it in the court record anyway. On election day last year, the judge dismissed my case and said the public could not see these records. I appealed. Yesterday, the case of Gross v. A New Missouri, Inc. was heard by the Western District Court of Appeals. 

I'm sitting in court in Milan getting ready to argue. Normally, the case would be heard in Kansas City, but the court was on the road that day.

A sheriff says to me, "We're reserving this side for kids who are going to come watch. Could you move to the other side?"

Kids pour into the courtroom. Before my case starts, one of the judges asks me to tell the kids about it. I turn around, look at all of them, and shouted, "HI!"

They were a reminder of why I was in that room, why I started this whole thing more than a year ago, why, despite the cost and the time and the lack of support from those in our government, I have kept going: Our state needs to work for our kids.

I stayed after my argument was done and listened to the rest. I got to watch a schoolmate do an excellent job arguing her case. I spoke with a state representative who was there to watch, and we talked about justice reform efforts. I got to walk out with one of the teachers and talk about the nonprofit work I do.

But the best part?

Several girls started sliding their windows open after they boarded the school bus. They saw me about 30 yards away. One waved. I waved back. Then they all waved. Then one of them yelled, "You were good!"

She may not be my client in the official transcript, but she is in my heart. And it's always nice to get positive feedback from someone you represent.

I should hear something in the next month or two. This case will have big implications for transparency in our state. But the best way to fight corruption, end dark money, and take back Missouri is for us to get an Attorney General who works for us.

As Attorney General, I will prosecute these people and take on the national dark money network breaking our democracy.

Join our team to get it done.