Former lawmaker enters race for lieutenant governor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Former Republican House member Jack Jackson kicked off his lieutenant governor's campaign Friday, the first to formally enter the race since the incumbent set his sights on the governor's office.

At a Capitol news conference, Jackson said he hadn't planned to run for anything in 2008 until Republican Gov. Matt Blunt's decision earlier this week not to seek re-election. Shortly thereafter, Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder announced he plans to run for governor rather than seek re-election.

"The unprecedented events that are happening in Jefferson City right now have created an opportunity for me to serve my fellow Missourians," he said. Jackson said his interests and skills match up with the lieutenant governor's official duties.

The lieutenant governor is the president of the Senate, serves on several state boards and advocates for seniors and military veterans.

Democratic Rep. Sam Page, of Creve Coeur, already is running for lieutenant governor.

Jackson, of Wildwood, is a retired Marine Corps fighter pilot who later became a test pilot in the private sector. He lost in a tightly contested 2006 primary for state auditor and later considered challenging Blunt this year until an October meeting in the Governor's Mansion.

One of his opponents in 2006, Sen. John Loudon, has confirmed he is thinking about running for a statewide office but declined to say which one. Loudon, R-Chesterfield, did not immediately return calls seeking comment about Jackson's announcement.

Now that someone has entered the race to replace Kinder, Jackson said he hopes GOP leaders will move to prevent other candidates. Missouri's official candidacy filing period does not begin until the end of February.

Since his last statewide bid, Jackson has been flying in corporate jets and making speeches. But he hasn't been raising money for a campaign.

Jackson said he plans to set up his campaign committee Monday.