This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Nov. 15, 2011 - State Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, formally announced this afternoon that he's running for lieutenant governor. His announcement comes just days after he said he was pondering the idea -- and just hours after state Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, said he was as well.
Their interest stems from last week's decision by state House Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, to drop out.
Later Monday, businessman Chris McKee -- son of developer Paul McKee, who has been buying up large tracts of land in St. Louis for redevelopment -- also jumped in.
Lager said in a release that his candidacy would be based on "bold leadership focused on job creation, smaller government and restrained spending."
"Missourians are tired of self-interested politicians beholden to special interests getting in the way of good government," he said. "My solemn promise to the people of Missouri if elected lieutenant governor is to continue to do everything in my power to create an environment where job creators can create jobs by reducing regulation, cutting spending and getting government off the backs of Missourians and out of the way."
"As a small business owner, I understand that every dollar that government taxes and spends would be better spent by small businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs to fuel our economy and create jobs," said Lager.
Lager chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, notes that he was the Senate sponsor of a bill last session that sought to make it more difficult for employees to sue their employers. Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed the measure, saying it unfairly discriminated against workers who were disabled, old or a minority.
Lager said the bill "would have reduced the number of frivolous lawsuits."
Lager is launching his second bid for statewide office. He ran for state treasurer in 2008, losing to Democrat Clint Zweifel.
According to his latest campaign finance report, Lager has $71,296.00 of cash on hand. That's far less than the nearly $1.5 million that Tilley had in the bank before he dropped out.
It's also less money in the bank than Schmitt, who as of his last report had $336,297.09 of cash on hand.
However, Lager showed to be a prolific fundraising during the 2010 election cycle. He ended up donating sizable amounts of money to other Republican candidates.
Former state auditor Susan Montee and state Conservation Commissioner Becky Plattner are running as Democrats for the office. Mike Carter -- an attorney who ran for the office in 2008 as a Democrat -- also has announced his candidacy, although he says that in 2012 he will run as a Republican
Lager said his campaign's proposals will include:
- "Enhancing Missouri's business climate so that we can compete in attracting job creators
- "Fundamentally reexamining Missouri's tax code to make it flatter and more fair so that Missouri can compete with other states in keeping and attracting jobs."
- "Dismantling Obamacare, cap-and-trade and other excessive regulatory initiatives currently being implemented in Missouri by the Nixon administration."
Lager, by the way, sits on the Senate panel that currently is holding hearings around the state as to whether Missouri should set up a health insurance exchange, which would allow people and small businesses to purchase insurance by comparing policies, or whether the state should opt not to do so. If that occurs, the federal government plans to set up exchanges in Missouri and other dissident states.
Lager represents 16 counties throughout northwest Missouri. He began his political career in 2001 as a member of the Maryville, Mo., City Council. He served in the state House from 2005-2007. He has been in the state Senate since 2007. Lager was born in Maryville, but currently lives with his family near Savannah, Mo.
McKee Cites Private Sector Experience
As for McKee, he contended that he would advance "a pro-jobs administration.'' McKee added that he is qualified because -- although he has never held elective office -- he understands job creation.
McKee, 43, said in a release late Monday that he could provide "steadfast leadership that will work with lawmakers and advocate for much needed jobs legislation that will put Missourians back to work."
He said he will make a formal announcement within the next two weeks.
A graduate of Washington and Vanderbilt universities, McKee is president of Optimus, where he "is responsible for the generation of new build-to-suit construction, leasing and development opportunities."
McKee and his family reside in St. Louis County.
Later, in response to a query from the Beacon, McKee offered an explanation for his reason to run for statewide office: "The state of Missouri has seen unprecedented job loss and unemployment in the last 4 years. I am running because I believe I can use my extensive private sector, job creation experience to help Missourians get back to work."
