Congressman Blunt backs Hulshof for governor

U.S. Congressman Roy Blunt, R-Mo., announced his endorsement of Republican gubernatorial candidate Kenny Hulshof amid local supporters this afternoon at Candlewood Suites hotel. It was the first stop of three – Blunt and Hulshof will continue their swing through southwest Missouri with announcements in Joplin and Mount Vernon later today.

Hulshof and state Treasurer Sarah Steelman are the Republican candidates vying for victory in August’s primary election to gain a spot on the November ballot. Incumbent Gov. Matt Blunt said in January that he would not run for re-election.

“(Kenny) and I started the same day (in Congress) 12 years ago, and we worked together day in and day out – and Kenny’s been the leader on some incredibly important legislation,” Roy Blunt said today, noting in particular Hulshof’s sponsorship of a bill that would eliminate the estate tax. “More importantly, I believe Kenny Hulshof understands the people of Missouri as well as anybody who’s run for state office.”

Blunt also pointed to Hulshof’s educational background in agricultural economics and his career as a lawyer as qualifications to serve as governor.

“You can shrug off endorsements and say they don’t really matter, but when you really represent those mainstream values as Roy has done, as I’ve tried to do, that’s why I’m enthusiastic about this,” Hulshof said today.

Blunt is a former Missouri Secretary of State and has represented southwest Missouri in Congress since 1996.

The Missouri Democratic party this afternoon issued a statement in response to Blunt’s endorsement of Hulshof.

“In Washington, Congressman Hulshof supports the Bush agenda, and in Missouri, Congressman Hulshof embraces the Blunt agenda,” party spokesman Jack Cardetti, said. “Therefore, it’s no surprise that Matt Blunt’s father and George Bush’s top ally would support Congressman Hulshof in this race. While Hulshof’s support for Matt Blunt and George Bush may win him some endorsements from Washington politicians, it won’t win him much support from the people of Missouri, who overwhelmingly want change.”

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon is in the running for the Democratic nomination for governor.