JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – An independent political committee focused on energy issues says it spent more than $250,000 in July to influence three primary elections for Missouri Senate.

Missourians Against Higher Utility Rates reported Monday that it spent $33,000 to support Democrat Jeanette Mott Oxford, a House member running for Senate from St. Louis. An additional $106,000 went to help House Republican Ward Franz, who is running for Senate in south-central Missouri.

In west-central Missouri, the committee spent $28,000 to oppose former House member Ed Emery and $84,000 to support House member Scott Largent in their GOP Senate primary.

Missourians Against Higher Utility Rates received $275,000 last week from a new nonprofit corporation called Missourians for Low Energy Costs. It is unclear where the new nonprofit got its money.

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