This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: August 5, 2008 - U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof defeated state Treasurer Sarah Steelman in Tuesday's GOP gubernatorial primary and immediately stressed party unity for a tough fall campaign against state Attorney General Jay Nixon, who won the Democratic nomination for governor.
Hulshof said he had received a "very gracious call" from Steelman, and that he was "grateful for her support." In appealing for party unity, Hulshof said he represented a "fresh perspective" and was not out to "seek revenge. ... I don't have scores to settle, no axes to grind."
The conciliatory tone was in contrast to the war of words that he and Steelman waged during the campaign. She criticized him as a big spender, and he accused her of flip-flopping on some issues.
But last night before a crowd of enthusiastic backers waving Hulshof campaign signs, he praised Steelman, saying, "She has earned our respect."
He then wasted no time attacking Nixon, his fall opponent, saying Nixon represented the failed policies of the past and said Missouri "faces too many challenges to settle for old politics."
At one point, Hulshof caused his backers to engage in brief chanting, "That's the wrong way, Jay" as he attacked Nixon.
Nixon, Missouri's longtime attorney general, addressed supporters at Kansas City's Uptown Theater. A text of his prepared remarks emphasized economic issues and health care coverage. "We can't afford four more years of the same economic policies," the text said. "We can't afford four more years of skyrocketing health care costs and soaring college tuition. We can't afford four more years of losing good-paying jobs to other states and other countries. We can't afford four more years where science and research take a backseat to ideology. We can't afford four more years where special interests have special access – and regular folks get squeezed."
Earlier Sen. Christopher S. "Kit" Bond introduced Hulshof and made a comment that Steelman certainly didn't agree with during the campaign.
Bond said, "I think he (Hulshof) is the candidate that can beat Jay Nixon." Steelman had disputed that claim repeatedly during debates and other time as she fought to win the nomination.
But Bond dismissed the bickering between Hulshof and Steelman, saying, "I think that's just politics" then added that Steelman had done a great job as treasurer.
In remarks after his speech, Hulshof said he would do more to reach voters across Missouri in an effort to beat Nixon. He said his campaign started late and that he wished he had had time to "shake more hands." In the fall, he said he would visit every corner of Missouri to get his message across that he represents a break from "failed policies."
That Hulshof is the nominee is due to an unusual turn of events. The party establishment backed his decision to run after Gov. Matt Blunt unexpectedly refused to seek a second term. Meanwhile, Steelman also insisted on running. She didn't have as much party support as he did, winning no major party endorsements.
Hulshof told his backers that the outcome of the primary was "the first victory of the year," and "this won't be the last victory party of the year."