Kinder outlines platform for lieutenant governor bid

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder on Thursday vowed to assume a role rooting out financial waste in state government if elected lieutenant governor this year.

Although the lieutenant governor has no constitutional or statutory duties to provide such financial oversight, Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said more can be done with the post.

"The lieutenant governor's office is uniquely positioned to act in significant part as a watchdog for waste, fraud and abuse in both the executive and legislative branches," Kinder said.

While the No. 2 executive branch post, the lieutenant governor also serves as presiding officer of the Senate, where Kinder has represented six Southeast Missouri counties since 1993.

Although Kinder has publicly acknowledged his intention to run for lieutenant governor since last summer, he formally launched his campaign, which carries the slogan "every dollar counts," during a Thursday news conference.

Kinder, 49, is assistant to the chairman of Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian.

Kinder touted his efforts to reduce the Senate's expenses since becoming chamber leader in 2001. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, Kinder is proposing an $8.3 million Senate operating budget, which would mark an 17.6 percent reduction from fiscal year 2001 and the lowest appropriation for the chamber since FY 1998.

As part of his effort to promote financial responsibility in state spending, Kinder is sponsoring a proposed constitutional amendment that would bar future governors from including unapproved taxes in the budget recommendations they annually present to lawmakers. Democratic Gov. Bob Holden has submitted budgets that call for tax hikes for the last two years.

Noting the lieutenant governor's role as the state's official advocate for senior citizens, Kinder cited his successful efforts last year to enact the first significant nursing home reform legislation in 25 years. Kinder sponsored the bill.

"I am passionate about making sure the elderly in Missouri receive the best care possible," Kinder said.

With nearly $300,000 in his campaign coffers as of Dec. 31, Kinder is seen as the clear front-runner for the Republican nomination in the Aug. 3 primary. The other announced GOP hopeful, former state Rep. Patricia Secrest of Manchester, reported $11,000 in her campaign account.

Whichever of the two Democrats vying for the post Kinder ends up facing in the Nov. 2 general election, the race looks to be interesting.

Senate Minority Floor Leader Ken Jacob of Columbia is Kinder's fiercest political rival, while former Secretary of State Bekki Cook also hails from Cape Girardeau.

Kinder, a supporter of gun rights and opponent of abortion rights and higher taxes, said his positions are diametrically opposed to Jacob's.

"There can be no doubt that if he and I were to face off after the August primary, Missourians would have about as clear of a choice as it is possible to have," Kinder said.

While calling Cook a "longtime family friend," Kinder said she and Jacob hold similar political philosophies.

"She would prove to be a liberal candidate in a moderate to conservative state, in my view," Kinder said.

However, he acknowledged Cook has successfully won election to statewide office, something Kinder has never previously attempted.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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