Gubernatorial hopeful Nixon: Missouri voters at a crossroad

Attorney General, Jay Nixon believes Missouri voters are at a crossroad.

"I think it's fundamentally wrong that health care funding is being slashed and college is less affordable to students," he said. "Our government has the wrong priorities right now, and it's up to the voters to change that."

Nixon, who is running for governor, spoke to about 40 people Saturday at the Best Western State Fair Inn as a part of a daylong tour of campaign stops that also included Harrisonville, Nevada, Collins, Butler and Warsaw.

"I'm committed to visiting all 114 counties in Missouri," he said. "I think every candidate should have to; it's an important process and part of getting elected."

Former state Sen. Jim Mathewson introduced Nixon and spoke about the first time he met him.

"I was in the (Missouri) Senate minding my own business, which I don't normally do, when this big goofy guy came through," he said. "And I told others, ‘You watch this boy go,' and he did. I'm honored to call him my friend."

Nixon spoke about his start in politics, telling the crowd that when he was growing up in De Soto, his father was the mayor and his mother was president of the school board.

"Growing up in that environment, I knew that public service made a difference," he said. "If you work hard and play by the rules, you can move forward and change things; I really believe that."

Health care, public education and the economy were the top three priorities of his campaign, Nixon said.

"I believe it's wrong to live in a state where children have no health care," he said. "We need to begin restoring those health care cuts; it will make a remarkable difference."

Nixon also spoke about public education and the importance of not passing on debt to the next generation of students.

"Tuition has gotten out of control," he said. "If you're really, really poor, then you can find scholarships, and if you're really, really rich, you can buy the college. It's the middle class that are getting squeezed."

"I was glad that he touched on the subject of education," said Elle Wasson, of Sedalia. "I think it's appalling, the amount of debt students have. I want my grandkids to be able to afford to go to college and not come out with debt, but I'm not sure it's possible."
"I've always admired Jay's honesty and willingness to work hard," said Judy Fairfax, of Sedalia. "Every politician promises lots of things but doesn't always deliver. I believe Jay does."

"I've been at this a long time," Nixon said. "And I believe true leadership is ultimate sincerity. I've never had a bad night's sleep because of what I did at the office that day. I want to get the state of Missouri moving forward again."