Missourians have a chance to get a look at all five GOP candidates for governor Tuesday night in Jefferson City and at Missourinet.com.
Missouri GOP Chairman John Hancock
The Cole County Republican Central Committee is holding a candidate forum at the Missouri Farm Bureau building in Jefferson City. It will feature a debate between former Missouri House speaker and U.S. attorney Catherine Hanaway, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, Springfield state senator Bob Dixon, former Navy SEAL and author Eric Greitens, and businessman and former Marine John Brunner.
Missouri GOP Chairman John Hancock believes it will be the first time they’ve been on a stage together.
“You’re going to see that we’ve got five outstanding candidates, all of whom are really very similar in terms of their issue positions but have a very diverse set of backgrounds and experiences,” said Hancock. “I think you’ll be able to get a good sense that the Republican party has some very strong options for our voters.”
Four to six questions will be chosen by the Committee and the debate’s moderator, Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City). Hancock said they won’t be easy, though.
“They’ll be some challenging questions,” Hancock insists. “There’s a lot of challenging issues facing Missouri, and a lot of things left undone in the state.”
With Kehoe selecting the questions, one is sure to be about transportation. Hancock said others are urban crime, job development and the economy, and education.
“Probably, specifically, what to do with some of the failing school districts that we have,” said Hancock.
Hancock was asked what he tells people when asked who he, as the party chairman, thinks is the best among the GOP gubernatorial candidates.
“My job is to support the Republicans, and I’m very pleased that we’ve got five choices that, any of whom, I will be proud to support once that primary’s over in August,” said Hancock.
The debate begins at 6:30 Tuesday night. Come to Missourinet.com tomorrow to find the page that will have a live stream.
