Democratic auditor candidate supports minimum wage increase, challenges Thomas to do the same

Democratic state auditor candidate Susan Montee hit the ground running for the fall campaign, coming out in support of the state's proposed minimum wage increase and challenging her Republican opponent to do the same.
Of course, Ms. Montee has the luxury of knowing she is the candidate, while the presumed Republican winner, Platte County Auditor Sandra Thomas, has to wait for the results of a recount after finishing six-tenths of one percent ahead of Rep. Jack Jackson in Tuesday's GOP primary.
The following information was contained in a news release issued by the Montee campaign:

State Auditor candidate Susan Montee called on her potential Republican opponents to join her in supporting Missouri's proposed minimum wage increase. Her statement came in response to yesterday's announcement from Governor Blunt that he opposes the ballot measure to raise Missouri's minimum wage from $5.15/hour to $6.50/hour over the next two years, with annual increases to keep up with inflation.
"The State Auditor is the top advocate for the state's economic health and
should state a position on issues that affect it," Montee said. "Missouri can only be financially healthy if working families are financially healthy.Raising the minimum wage is essential to meeting the needs of Missouri's working families and the state as a whole."
Montee cited the measure's fiscal impact statement, prepared by the Missouri
State Auditor's office. While the statement referenced potential for job losses and decreased business investment as a result of the wage increase, it also projects $21.4 million in new consumer spending. It estimates the proposed minimum wage increase will generate an additional $3.3 million to $4.3 million annually in state tax revenues.
Montee continued, "I call on my Republican opponents to join me in supporting
November's ballot initiative to increase the minimum wage."

Of course, it would be very hard for Ms. Thomas, the hand-picked candidate of Governor Blunt, to come out against his position on any issue.