Jackson bows out from lieutenant governor's race

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Former Republican Rep. Jack Jackson on Tuesday dropped his nearly monthlong lieutenant governor's campaign to instead work for Arizona Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign.

The move leaves Cape Girardeau Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder the lone member of his party who has publicly announced his campaign for the seat.

"While I have a strong commitment to serve my fellow veterans and seniors at the state level, I feel my efforts will be better spent by helping elect John McCain as president of the United States," Jackson said in a written statement.

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

After Blunt announced Jan. 22 that he will not seek re-election this year, Kinder announced he would run for governor and Jackson said he would try to replace Kinder.

At a Capitol news conference last month to announce his decision to enter the race, Jackson pledged to remain in the race even if Kinder changed his mind.

Kinder did change his mind, announcing Feb. 8 that he would quit the governor's race and instead seek re-election for the sake of party unity.

At the time, Jackson likened Kinder's decision to "a gut punch." But Jackson also said he would back out of the race if asked to assist McCain's presidential run.

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

Jackson's decision leaves Kinder as the only Republican who has officially entered the race. Rep. Sam Page, D-Creve Coeur, has been raising money for a lieutenant governor's bid.