Republican Gov. Matt Blunt has forgiven the $300,000 loan his campaign committee made to Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder during his 2008 bid for office, according to the Associated Press.

The six-figure debt-forgiveness means more money in Kinder’s pocket; contributions to his campaign committee can now fundraise for the next election, possibly against Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, rather than paying Blunt back for a race he already won, the AP reported.

Kinder had until the end of 2010 to pay off his 2008 campaign debt; Kinder’s committee was informed of the loan forgiveness in a letter from Blunt’s campaign treasurer dated Dec. 30, the AP wrote.

– Missouri Digital News