Bradshaw, Dixon join 2016 races

He’s a licensed physician, surgeon and a lawyer. Now, he’s hoping to add lieutenant governor to his resume.

But Springfield personal-injury attorney Brad Bradshaw – running as a Democrat – isn’t the only Springfieldian working to land a statewide office in 2016. On July 20, Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor.

Dixon joins an early field that includes current Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, retired health care products manufacturing executive John Brunner, former U.S. attorney and state House speaker Catherine Hanaway and another area state lawmaker, Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar. If Dixon makes it through next year’s primary, he could face Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, who is seeking the Democratic nomination.

Bradshaw is in a field that has yet to fully take shape, according to Republican strategist and political consultant David Barklage in St. Louis.
“I think we probably haven’t seen the winning candidate get in yet,” Barklage said.

Notable contenders Barklage expects in that race are Rep. Tommie Pierson, D-St. Louis; former governor candidate Republican Dave Spence; Rep. Caleb Jones, R-Columbia; and Rep. Sheila Solon, R-Blue Springs.

Out of the gate, Barklage doesn’t consider Sens. Dixon or Parson – known for his work on last year’s right-to-farm amendment and recent support of the state’s $400 million bonding bill and right-to-work legislation – as top contenders.  

Governor’s mansion
Dixon was a state representative from Springfield for eight years until 2010, when he was elected to the Missouri Senate.

He has served on several Senate committees, including as the chairman of the Joint Committee on the Justice System and as a member of the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee.

“Leadership is doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons,” Dixon said during his announcement on the front porch of his Midtown home. “I believe Missouri is ready for real leadership and a governor who will put integrity over expediency, serving the people above petty politics, and a governor who will work to bring a divided people back together.”

Earlier this year, though, Dixon considered an exit from politics. He began studying real estate and earned his license after the session closed. Dixon joined Marcia Mackie’s Re/Max team, but respected friends and colleagues suggested he run for governor.

Around 100 people turned out for Dixon’s campaign kick-off. Moving from faith to families to jobs, he spoke about his motivations for seeking the state’s executive office for roughly 15 minutes.

According to Dixon’s biography on Senate.Mo.gov, some of his key legislative accomplishments include passage of Senate Bill 15, a 2015 tax-policy review commission; a measure revising the criminal code in 2014; 2013’s Benevolent Tax Credit Act benefitting nonprofits; and work in 2007 and 2008 to set aside state funds for Springfield’s regional crime lab.

Dixon’s career includes over 20 years in banking and financial services, most recently working for AG Financial Solutions, and the Queen City native is an adjunct instructor in Drury University’s Leadership Studies Program.

Barklage said Dixon’s advantage right now is geographical, and he has a solid track record.

“In politics, the [Interstate] 70 corridor is where the Democrats are, and the I-44 corridor is where the Republican folks are. So, from West [St. Louis] County, through the lakes region, Springfield and Joplin are where the Republicans are, and he’s square in the center,” Barklage said. “He obviously understands the issues. I think everybody knows Bob is sincere and cares, so those aren’t bad places to start.

“The question is: Can he put himself in a position to be a tough competitor, be disciplined and raise some money? And that’s unknown right now.”

Row to hoe
With law offices in Springfield, Kansas City and St. Louis, Bradshaw hired two attorneys and three part-time staff members to help spread the workload and ensure the campaign wouldn’t impact his firm. This is something I’ve been thinking about for decades,” Bradshaw said. “It’s not something I’ve taken lightly.”

So far, Bradshaw is about the middle of the pack in fundraising. As of mid-July, the campaign said it had surpassed $500,000 in cash on hand. According to the Missouri Ethics Commission, The Committee to Elect Tommie Pierson Sr. reported $10,000 on hand at the end of June, and Republican candidate Bev Randles had $900,000.

According to a July 15 MEC filing, Bradshaw supporters include several industry peers. Notable second-quarter donations include $20,000 from Springfield attorney Eric Belk, $20,000 from Hosmer & Wise PC and $5,005 from Strong-Garner-Bauer PC.

Dixon’s campaign is further behind. He had $73,492 on hand at the end of June with only $1,256 in donations during the second quarter, according to the MEC. At the beginning of the quarter, he had $102,000 at his disposal. Dixon declined to disclose his campaign’s fundraising goals.

Bradshaw, like Dixon, said he would work to overcome a pronounced partisan divide in Jefferson City.

“It will not be politics as usual,” he said.

Key issues for the attorney include health care, education and economic development. One plan in the works is the creation of the Missouri Medical Research Institute, a public-private venture he said would generate health care jobs. A full announcement is planned by September, but tentatively, Bradshaw wants to help fund the effort’s medical research with taxes on medical marijuana, which he suggests could be legalized by voters.

Bradshaw, who holds medical and law degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, said he also wants to cut income taxes for startups and small businesses that are growing financially.

With Bradshaw’s funding, Barklage said he has a chance, but he’d likely have to overcome some negative perceptions to be elected.

“Just because you are in commercials extolling the virtues of your ability to get a settlement, I’m not sure that’s a popular thing,” Barklage said. “I think, in the general election, Brad Bradshaw has a very long row to hoe … to build credibility.”

Barklage said while Dixon and Parson have significant political experience, their field is crowded with bigger names.  

“There are three people that are known in this race: the lieutenant governor, because he’s been elected and re-elected; second, you have Catherine Hanaway. She was speaker and a U.S. attorney in the largest media market. I think she is well known; and then you have John Brunner. He ran for the Senate before and has been very active in politics,” Barklage said. “I think those are your three tier-one [candidates].”