Governor’s race heats up in Missouri

Donna Clevenger
BDN Staff Writer
dclevenger@bransondailynews.com

JEFFERSON CITY — The Governor’s candidacy race is filling up fast with five already declared and at least one considering declaring.

Gov. Matt Blunt left a vacuum for declared candidate Democrat Jay Nixon, who had geared up his campaign to fight an incumbent governor. Nixon remains the only democrat running for the office, however, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, also a democrat, has stated that she is “thinking” about entering the race.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, the first Republican to declare, jumped into the fray on Thursday while former U.S. Senator Jim Talent, who stated on Friday that he would definitely not run for the republican nomination, is a candidate that some elected officials in Taney County felt would be the most electable to the office.

“Since the governor’s announcement, I have received numerous inquiries from friends around the state about my interest in the governor’s race,” Talent said in a written statement. “However, in the expectation that I would not be seeking office in 2008, I have made commitments to my family, to the (Mitt) Romney for President campaign, and to other professional activities. I cannot reconcile running for governor now with those commitments.”

Sarah Steelman, R, formally announced her candidacy for governor Friday from her brother’s home in Springfield. Steelman had previously declared her intention to run again as State Treasurer a few short hours before Gov. Blunt made his announcement that opened wide the governor’s race.

The “Power to the People” campaign theme that Steelman had begun on her incumbent run for State Treasurer has now been converted into a run for governor.

Steelman also adopted language for her earlier announcement to explain her run for the governor’s mansion, saying that when she grew up the family often debated politics around the kitchen table.

“I learned that ideas matter,” she said. “It’s a different kind of politics than what has become the norm today. It’s a politics that puts people first and doesn’t seek simply to hold on to an office.”

Among the other Republicans still considering a gubernatorial campaign are U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway, Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton and Missouri Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields.

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson in southwestern Missouri District 8 has also been a possible candidate who put off her decision until Monday, giving her time to assess not only her support base but also her own political agenda, she said in a press conference Monday.

“I think everyone agrees that we need strong leadership in that (governor’s office) position and I am confident that I could provide it,” Emerson said. “Our next governor must work with both parties — to achieve results.”

Click Here for a printer-friendly version of this story.