Ozarks nonprofits reassert political neutrality after drone show with campaign message

A 15-minute long drone show June 22 that included an endorsement for a Christian County Commissioner candidate left two nonprofits scrambling to assert their political neutrality, while highlighting a potential gray area in state campaign ethics law.

The display closed out the Sertoma Duck Race Festival in Ozark, a yearly event run by the Christian County Children's Charities Sertoma Club. Proceeds from the 2024 event benefitted four organizations: Care to Learn - Ozark, Children's Smile Center, Least of These Inc. and Dogwood Ranch.

Near the end of the display, which ran at the same time as the fireworks display sponsored by Appleby Healy Law, drones spelled out "VOTE JACKSON" in reference to Christian County Eastern Commissioner Bradley Jackson, who is up for re-election in November.

“A specific campaign activity, during the fireworks display, may have given attendees an incorrect assumption that Least Of These supports any one candidate or party over another. This is simply not true, and we cannot afford to lose any food pantry donors, volunteers, advocates or clients at the expense of such campaign marketing, advertising and activities," said Kristy Carter, Least of These Inc. executive director, in a press release June 28. "The families we serve should not go hungry because of how a candidate chooses to promote their campaign.”

The Children's Smile Center executive director Jackie Barger said given the charitable nature of the Sertoma Duck Race Festival, the nonprofit was "surprised by and do not condone a specific campaign activity that occurred during the fireworks display.”

Dogwood Ranch's CEO Dana Lopez provided the following statement: "Dogwood Ranch is extremely grateful for the Sertoma Duck Race and the great folks of Christian County who attend and support our charity through this amazing annual event.  As a non profit, we are committed to staying neutral when it comes to political candidates and will not have any further comment regarding the matter."

Care to Learn-Ozark did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.

Jackson was also the chairperson for the 2024 Sertoma Duck Race Festival, and has been for eight years, according to reporting by KOLR 10. Kristin Jackson, who is married to Bradley Jackson, said she and her husband paid for the whole drone display.

"There was no endorsement intended or implied for any business or candidate that was included in the drone show," Kristin Jackson wrote from the Sertoma Duck Festival email account. "There were many political candidates whom either had booths or were sponsors of the Duck Race Festival. All candidates and parties that applied for booths or sponsorships were accepted."

As of publication, Bradley Jackson has not commented in his capacity as a commissioner candidate.

The drones also displayed the Ozark Chevrolet logo and the Appleby Healy Law logo during the display.

Did the display need a 'paid for by' message?

It's not clear if the drone display that urged onlookers to "VOTE FOR JACKSON" needed to have the caveat that it was paid for by the candidate himself. Video from the event posted on social did not show whether Jackson disclosed the information.

According to the Missouri Ethics Commission, "paid for by" disclosures are required on "any pamphlets, circular, handbill, sample ballot, advertisement, sign, or other imprinted or lettered material that is relative to candidates or ballot measures" and "informational material about candidates/ballot measures (not necessarily supporting/opposing)."

There are a few instances where printed material does not need a "paid for by" disclaimer, such as when it's a news story, commentary or editorial printed by a newspaper or other periodical without charge to someone; when it's a sign that is personally printed and constructed by an person without compensation and is displayed at that person's their place of residence or on their vehicle; or when it's an item of "personal use" that is given away or sold, which is paid for a candidate or committee, is obvious in the identification with a specific candidate or committee and the cost of which is reported on campaign finance reports.

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The MEC declined to comment when asked about this specific situation.

Federal Election Commission guidelines apply to federal candidates as well as any radio or television broadcasts regarding candidates, since radio and television are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.

When it comes to federal candidates, the FEC requires disclaimers on any "public communication." However, there are a few exceptions: when it cannot be printed easily, like on bumper stickers or campaign pins; when the item is of minimal value, does not contain a political message and is used for administrative purposes; and when the display is not practicable, like on water towers or skywriting.

Susan Szuch reports on health and food for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks nonprofits affirm neutrality after drone show campaign message