JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill has contributed an additional $50,000 to the Missouri Democratic Party as election day nears for state legislative candidates.

McCaskill’s contribution reported Thursday by the Missouri Ethics Commission brings her yearly total to $340,000 for the state party.

McCaskill is not up for re-election this year. Her donations are intended to help the Democrats gain ground in the Missouri Legislature, where Republicans hold a two-thirds majority in both chambers. Those elections are Nov. 4.

Other top Democrats also are aiding the legislative campaigns. Attorney General Chris Koster has given $200,000 to the state party as part of a four-year pledge to contribute $400,000.

State Treasurer Clint Zweifel gave the Democratic Party $10,000 in July.