Republican candidate starts work on campaign

KIRKWOOD, Mo. -- Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons launched his campaign for attorney general Saturday from the front porch of his home, using it as a symbol of what he pledged to protect if elected.

"All the people of Missouri deserve to be safe in their homes and neighborhoods, their children protected ... that is my No. 1 priority, and is the reason I am running for attorney general," Gibbons said.

Gibbons, 48, of suburban St. Louis, is the only Republican in the 2008 race to succeed Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon.

Federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway, also a Republican, announced Thursday that she would not run for Missouri attorney general. State Sen. Chris Koster, of Harrisonville, Mo., who also is campaigning for attorney general, switched from the Republican to Democratic party in August.

There are two other Democrats in the attorney general's race -- Rep. Jeff Harris, of Columbia, and Rep. Margaret Donnelly, of St. Louis.

Nixon is not seeking re-election because he is instead challenging Gov. Matt Blunt, a Republican.

If elected attorney general, Gibbons pledged to "use every resource available to me to enforce national and state immigration laws."

He also highlighted laws he supported as a lawmaker targeting methamphetamine makers, elderly and disabled abuse, sexual and domestic violence and identity theft.

Gibbons served on the Kirkwood City Council from 1986 to 1992, when he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. He served there until elected in the Senate in 2000. His Senate colleagues elected him pro tem -- the top position in the chamber -- in January 2005.