Former Missouri Governor and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has endorsed State Rep. Jane Cunningham’s bid for the state Senate. He will also appear at a fundraiser for the Republican candidate.

“I wholeheartedly endorse Jane Cunningham for the Missouri State Senate,” Ashcroft said in a written statement. “I have known Jane, and her husband Gary, for thirty years. I can vouch for her integrity, her energetic work ethic, and her commitment to advancing legislation that provides tax relief, economic vitality and a quality education for all children. She has served with distinction as a Missouri State Representative for eight years, Chair of the critical House Education Committee and in leadership positions nationally. Jane has my enthusiastic support. ”

“I’m obviously thrilled to have General Ashcroft’s endorsement,” Cunningham said. “His unparalleled reputation as a man of ability, principle, faith and fairness propelled him to an amazing career of public service for which Missourians and Americans are grateful and stand proud.”

Cunningham also announced that Ashcroft will be the honored guest and speaker at an event for her State Senate race to be held in St. Louis County on Monday, June 16th.

Former U.S. Attorney General (as well as former Missouri Governor and Senator) John Ashcroft has agreed to appear at a federal hearing looking into millions of dollars of no-bid contracts he and others received to monitor out-of-court corporate settlements.

A House Judiciary Committee subcommittee announced the agreement with Ashcroft in Washington, D.C. today, the day before the committee was to consider authorizing its chairman to issue him a subpoena.

From the AP:

The former attorney general is considered a key witness in the inquiry into lucrative federal monitoring contracts awarded by federal prosecutors to hand-picked monitors to oversee deferred prosecutions…

[Christopher Christie, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey] appointed Ashcroft in September as monitor for Zimmer Holdings Inc., of Warsaw, Ind., one of five makers of replacement hips and knees that agreed to pay $310 million and accept federal monitors to settle concerns over doctor kickbacks.

Ashcroft’s Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm, The Ashcroft Group LLC, stands to make from $27 million to $52 million over 18 months, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

LINK: Ashcroft to Testify on Monitor Contracts