A low-profile office

The Washington Missourian

There's not much interest in the race for lieutenant governor in Missouri. ...

Missouri's lieutenant governor doesn't have that much to do. His main job is to preside over the Senate. He also governs the state in the absence of the governor, but that rarely happens. A number of our lieutenant governors have tried to make work for themselves and enjoyed some success. They made a contribution even though the job description didn't call for the extra duties they placed on themselves.

We doubt if the majority of Missourians could tell you who our lieutenant governor is. Joe Maxwell, a Democrat and capable public servant, has had to assume a low profile as lieutenant governor due to the serious illness of his wife. They also couldn't tell you who the candidates are for the office this year.

There are three candidates: Peter Kinder, Republican; Bekki Cook, Democrat; and Mike Ferguson, Libertarian. Kinder is the president pro tem of the Senate and a seasoned legislator, Cook is a former Missouri secretary of state, and Ferguson ... manages a temporary staffing firm in the Kansas City area. Ferguson ... says Missourians want a better choice than Kinder or Cook. ...

Truth is both Cook and Kinder are capable people who could handle the lieutenant governor's office with ease. They both have experience in state government. Kinder has more experience with the Senate and General Assembly. Cook was a successful secretary of state. We suspect the winner in this race will benefit from how well the Republican and Democrat candidates fare in the governor's race.