Rep. Kenny Hulshof to run for Missouri governor

DATELINE: WASHINGTON

U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof on Tuesday became the third Republican to launch a bid for governor of Missouri, bypassing a seventh term in Congress to join a crowded primary race that could prove contentious.

Hulshof, of Columbia, Mo., joins Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and Treasurer Sarah Steelman in the GOP gubernatorial primary, which was thrown wide open last week after Gov. Matt Blunt's surprise decision not to seek a second term.

Hulshof's decision has implications for the state's 9th District House seat, which is now up for grabs. Hulshof joins more than 20 other congressional Republicans this year who are leaving open seats, either though retirement or resignation.

Considered a solid conservative in Congress, Hulshof focused on his strong commitment to ethics and open government and pledged to unite voters around a "common-sense conservative philosophy."

"It's my impression that Missourians reject blatant, blind, partisanship," Hulshof said in a conference call with reporters from his Washington office. To bring new ideas and innovative leadership "will take independence, and it's going to take resolve to end the bitterness that often infects our political discourse," he said.

Attorney General Jay Nixon so far is the only Democrat in the governor's race, though a spokesman for Secretary of State Robin Carnahan has said she is thinking about running.

Hulshof, who worked as a special prosecutor in Nixon's office before winning a House seat in 1996, said he hoped the race would not become personal if he and Nixon ultimately face each other in the general election.

"It should make for some interesting copy for you all to write about," Hulshof joked. "Jay and I have a unique relationship. I would describe it as a friendship."

Hulshof, 49, considered running for governor in 2004 but decided against it after GOP political leaders rallied around Blunt.

In leaving Congress, Hulshof gives up his seat on the influential House Ways and Means Committee. He was re-elected in 2006 with 61 percent of the vote.

Hulshof flirted with the idea of leaving Congress last year, when he was a leading candidate to become president of the University of Missouri, but university curators ultimately passed over Hulshof.

Hulshof had a difficult year in 2005, when he was ousted from the House Ethics Committee after the panel admonished former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas. Democrats and watchdog groups called it retaliation for the committee's investigation of DeLay, who later resigned the leadership post after being indicted on money laundering charges.

"I have never hesitated to stand against corruption, even if it meant political peril," Hulshof said.

Missouri State University political science professor George Connor said Hulshof may have broad statewide appeal given the diverse makeup of his district, which includes the liberal University of Missouri-Columbia area, as well as a large swath of rural farm country.

"The strengths that he has as a candidate in Columbia translate fairly well to voters in suburban St. Louis and Kansas City, where Republican turnout is essential," Connor said.

But David Webber, associate professor of political science at University of Missouri-Columbia, said Hulshof could be at a disadvantage in the primary because of low statewide name recognition compared with Steelman and Kinder.

"He's an attractive candidate, experienced and very articulate, but the other two have won races in all the counties of Missouri," Webber said.

Democrats rushed to criticize Hulshof for being "in lock step with the Bush agenda" and for announcing his candidacy from Washington instead of Missouri. Hulshof said he was there to vote for the bipartisan economic stimulus package that passed the House on Tuesday.

Hulshof's entry into the governor's race led Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton to opt against his own gubernatorial bid and set off a scramble among candidates interested in Hulshof's congressional job. Jetton said he supports Hulshof but also believes Kinder would be a good governor.

Blunt's Department of Economic Development director, Greg Steinhoff, told The Associated Press he is backing Hulshof for governor and is considering running for Hulshof's seat. Steinhoff, a Republican from Columbia, said he likely would resign his Cabinet position if he makes a congressional bid.

Among other Republicans who said Tuesday that they are considering running for Hulshof's seat are state Sen. John Greisheimer, of Washington; state Rep. Mike Sutherland, of Warrenton; state Rep. Bob Onder, of Lake St. Louis; state Rep. Joe Smith, of St. Charles; and state Rep. Kevin Threlkeld, a physician from Washington whose wife used to work for Hulshof.

Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti called the chance to win Hulshof's seat "a tremendous opportunity" for Democrats.

"There's a large Democratic bench in the 9th District," Cardetti said.

Among the Democrats considering a congressional campaign are state Sen. Wes Shoemyer, of Clarence, and Steve Gaw, a former state House speaker who recently served on the Missouri Public Service Commission as a utility regulator.

Democratic state Rep. Judy Baker, of Columbia, began fundraising for a congressional bid several months before Hulshof's announcement. Marion County Presiding Commissioner Lyndon Bode, a Democrat, also has announced his candidacy for the race.

Associated Press writers David A. Lieb and Chris Blank in Jefferson City, Mo., contributed to this report.