– U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, told Republicans gathered at the 8th Congressional District campaign school on Saturday that he would donate the remainder of the funds in his state campaign account to their political efforts.

Smith, who had $9,714.74 left over in his state campaign account, said he would donate the funds to the Friends Of The 8th Congressional District political action committee established in July, a campaign aide confirmed Saturday afternoon.

“I want to work with candidates on every level to ensure that the people of the 8th District have conservative representation from the courthouse to the White House,” Smith told PoliticMo.

The new committee was set up in July by 8th District Republicans to assist local candidates, similarly to the 7th District Congressional Republican Committee on the western side of the state or other regional committees.

Smith, the former Missouri Speaker Pro Tem who won a special election in June upon the retirement of Joann Emerson, has $15,438 on hand in his federal account, according to a filing at the end of June.