Sinquefield: Blunt announcement took me by surprise

Retired billionaire Rex Sinquefield, who has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for candidate who favor his pro-educational voucher beliefs, especially Gov. Matt Blunt, told Columbia Tribune political reporter Jason Rosenbaum he was caught off guard by Blunt's decision not to seek a second term:

Now, Sinquefield said that he’ll have to have conversations with the candidates for governor before he makes a decision on who to back. Sinquefield gave $100,000 directly to Blunt’s campaign last year and provided tens of thousands of dollars in financial support through a series of political action committees. He said it is completely up to Blunt's campaign about refunding the cash given through his PACs.

“I think they’re all good,” Sinquefield said of the candidates. “I can’t get specific because I haven’t sat down with any of them since the decision Gov. Blunt made. So I really need to talk to them and find out where they are.”

Sinquefield said one candidate has contacted him about starting such a conversation. He wouldn’t, however, reveal whether it was Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, state Treasurer Sarah Steelman or U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Columbia.

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The hard-working Rosenbaum also confirmed that Sen. Charlie Shields and Secretary of State Robin Carnahan will not run for governor.