JEFFERSON CITY • Saying that unlimited campaign contributions were "overriding the will of the people," Gov. Jay Nixon called for strict limits on political donations this week in his "State of the State" speech.

But that doesn't mean the Democratic incumbent is turning away big checks in his bid for re-election.

The finance report his campaign filed this week shows that in the last quarter of 2011, close to a third of his $1.3 million in contributions came from just 16 donors.

That list is sprinkled with labor unions and trial lawyers, mainstays for many Democrats' campaigns. For example, his single largest gift was $50,000 from the autoworkers -- UAW Region 5 PAC in Hazelwood.

Nixon has worked to revive the state's auto industry and his speech cited planned investments by Ford and GM as signs that the strategy is working. He wants legislators to approve additional incentives to draw automotive suppliers to the state.

Nixon also got $50,000 last quarter from a more unlikely source: a businessman in Southwest Missouri's Neosho, rock-ribbed Republican territory. Larry Neff of Red Carpet Real Estate gave Nixon $25,000 in November and $25,000 in December.

Neff said he is a Democrat and longtime Nixon supporter. He said he increased his gifts because of Nixon's role in helping Joplin recover from last year's tornado.

"I think he spent about half the time the first month after that happened coordinating and running the recovery. That's basically the reason I stepped up to the plate this time a little more," said Neff, whose granddaughter lost her home in the disaster.

Neff isn't new to state politics. He serves on the Missouri Development Finance Board, which authorizes tax credits and other incentives. He was appointed by a Democratic governor, Bob Holden, and reappointed by a Republican, Matt Blunt. Neff's term has expired but he continues to serve until Nixon reappoints or replaces him.

Nixon's next tier of top donors, who gave $25,000 each last quarter, include:

The Accurso Law firm of Kansas City; Benchmark HM LLC of Chesterfield; AT&T Missouri Employees PAC of St. Louis; United Health Group of Minneapolis; Noranda Intermediate Holding Corp. of Franklin, Tenn.; attorney Ken McClain of Independence; NEA Fund for Children and Public Education of Jefferson City; Burns & McDonnell of Kansas City; and attorney Michael Ketchmark of Overland Park, Kans.

Nixon didn't specify what size donation limits he supports. A bill proposed by Democratic Rep. Jason Kander of Kansas City would cap gifts to statewide candidates at $2,000 per election.

Two little-known Republicans -- Dave Spence of St. Louis and Bill Randles of Kansas City -- are seeking to challenge Nixon.

Spence has so far pumped $2 million of his own money into his campaign. A cap on donations wouldn't affect how much a candidate could spend of his own money.