At this, it looks like incumbent Republican L.G. Pete Kinder is in for a primary battle with Jack Jackson. But, this being Missouri in 2008, expect that to change in the days and weeks ahead. The primary is August 5th, 2008.

Speaking at the annual Lincoln Days gathering of Missouri Republicans, Kinder dropped the political bombshell after a lengthy speech where he recited the beginnings of his political career, from his grade-school support of Barry Goldwater’s 1964 presidential bid through his political work for former U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau. “I’m here today to tell you that after visiting with friends and being gratified by their support all across this state – grass-roots volunteers, officeholders, fundraisers, captains of industry – and being humbled by support that I will, nonetheless, stand down from the governor’s race here tonight in the interest of the larger cause that you and I share,” Kinder said.

Read the Rest…