Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder announced that he is withdrawing from the Republican Primary for Governor.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder stunned a crowd of fellow Republicans Friday by telling them he has decided to end his campaign for governor and will instead run for re-election.
"I will stand down from the governor's race," Kinder said, saying he wanted to avoid an internal Republican battle that would make it easier for the likely Democratic nominee, Attorney General Jay Nixon, to win this November.
Given that current Representative Kenny Hulshof has announced he's running for Governor, it makes sense for the Republicans to have a less crowded field to avoid a nasty primary. Of course, in the same article current state treasurer Sarah Steelman says she's staying in the race.
Hopefully, she'll stay true to her word forcing a contested Republican primary. This would be helpful for current Attorney General Jay Nixon who is running uncontested in the Democratic primary.