Jetton says no to race for governor

Speaker of the House Rod Jetton will not add his name to the already crowded race for the Republican nomination for governor:

Jetton says he came very close to entering the race. He says he talked with his family at length over the weekend and had gotten the go-ahead from both his wife and his children.

Jetton says he has been personally torn by the race. He is friends with both Hulshof and Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, who announced earlier he is a candidate for governor. All three grew up in southeast Missouri. Jetton adds that Kinder helped him when he first ran for office. He says he believes Kinder would be a good governor, but that Hulshof is the best candidate for Republicans to retain the governor's office.

State Treasurer Sarah Steelman also has declared her candidacy for governor. Still weighing their options are former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods and Senate Majority Floor Leader Charlie Shields of St. Joseph.