Kinder, Steelman will run for governor
Kenny Hulshof is expected to join the race today.
Jan. 29, 2008
While the presidential primary races continue to be muddled in uncertainty and tight voting, the race for governor in Missouri is charting a similar course toward November.
After Republcian Gov. Matt Blunt announced on Jan. 22 that he would not seek re-election, the race to replace him opened up to a number of potential candidates and could set up a potentially expensive Republican primary.
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, both Republicans, announced last week they would run for governor. Kinder and Steelman announced their intentions just days after both said they would run for re-election for their respective offices.
Kinder released a video today on his campaign Web site outlining a few of his goals and platform ideas for his governor’s campaign. He stressed economic growth — primarily through improving legislation on healthcare, illegal immigration and education.
“We will work together to ensure that no region, county or community is left behind or denied the opportunity to create better jobs,” Kinder said in the video.
Kinder stressed the importance of cracking down on illegal immigrants and their employers as a means to improve the economy.
“We cannot reform government without accounting for the tens of millions of dollars that are being robbed from taxpayers from illegal immigrants that are getting free health care and free college education,” Kinder said. “The inaction of the federal government on this issue has made illegal immigration a state issue.”
Kinder spokesman Jerry Dowell refused to comment any further regarding the Kinder campaign.
Although Blunt and other Republicans have voiced concern over a potential primary in their party, Steelman campaign spokesman Doug Gaston said that concern did not deter the decision for Steelman.
“She wants to work for all the people of the state, no matter what party or whether they even have a party,” Gaston said.
Gaston said Steelman also was not worried about leaving her seat as treasurer open.
“She’s enjoyed being treasurer and has laid a really good groundwork for whoever takes over,” he said. “You can bet as governor she’ll be working hand-in-hand with the treasurer.”
There have been a number of other candidates whose names have surfaced for a potential run for governor.
Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, has said he is mulling over the decision whethers he would run. Jetton could not be reached for comment.
U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Mo., is rumored to be in the running. Hulshof chief of staff Scott Baker declined to comment, but Hulshof will make an announcement today and is expected to join the race for governor.
Former U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., were both included in the discussion to replace Blunt, but both announced they would not run.
MU political science professor David Webber said he feels Kinder and Steelman already have an advantage over any other potential candidates because they have been elected statewide as opposed to a single district.
Even so, Webber said he believes the Republicans will eventually decide on one candidate to support and avoid a primary election.
“If it’s a hostile, negative Democratic campaign, I think that hurts the Republican Party — I won’t be surprised if they do end out with one candidate,” Webber said. “It’s a pretty big loss to give up three sure seats so one of them can run against (Attorney General Jay) Nixon. That would be expensive.”
Nixon, who has essentially campaigned for governor for the past three years, has been thought of as the lone Democratic candidate in the race.
But that could change, because Secretary of State Robin Carnahan said she is thinking about opposing Nixon in a Democratic primary.
“I doubt she would run,” Webber said. “My hunch would be that the Democrats now have an advantage and that would evaporate the advantage.”
Nixon said his campaign would continue to focus on the issues at hand and wait until the picture was a bit clearer to address the future.
“Certainly when that shakes out, we’ll deal with that strategically,” Nixon said.
The Missouri state primary is held later this year on Aug. 5.
More Jan. 29, 2008 Outlook Stories
- Columbia: One year smoke-free — Columbia’s ban on smoking in bars and restaurants has been in place for more than a year, but criticism for ...
- Come on, hit me with your best shot — Today is the fifth day of my life without Heath Ledger in it, and I’m still reeling. Don’t misunderstand: celebrities ...
- Debates ease pain of writer's strike — Who needs the Writers Guild of America when you can watch presidential debates in primetime or on YouTube.com because this ...
- Easier access to I-70 will aid traveling students — Students traveling toward Kansas City or St. Louis might have easier access to Interstate 70 if a proposed project comes ...
- File-sharing deemed source of child pornography — A man was arrested for possession of child pornography. A Columbia man was arrested for three counts of child pornography ...
Most recent Outlook Stories
- Columbia soldier's funeral held on Tuesday — Steven Fitzmorris, a Columbia soldier, was remembered during his funeral on Tuesday.
- Few Gustav evacuees take shelter in Columbia — A solid 790 miles separate New Orleans and Columbia. But when Hurricane Gustav threatened Louisiana with what some feared was ...
- PedNet programs encourage biking — </i>
- Same-sex marriage: election issue — Same-sex marriage will be a hot ballot issue in upcoming elections.</i>
- Guideline to help with earwax impaction — Listen up: Formal instructions for ear care have arrived.The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation released the first ...