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Missouri GOP hopefuls barnstorm across Show-Me State in a bus

Most of the Republican nominees for statewide offices in Missouri are touring the state together in a bus today and Wednesday.

The first stop was outside the GOP’s campaign office in Jefferson City.  Those onboard this morning included Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, who's seeking a third term in office; Secretary of State hopeful Shane Schoeller; Attorney General nominee Ed Martin; CongressmanBlaine Luetkemeyer, whose district will include Jefferson City next year; State Treasurer nominee Cole McNary; and the Republican hoping to oust Democrat Jay Nixonfrom the Governor’s office, Dave Spence.

“We’ve already borrowed $100 million against the (state's) Rainy Day Fund, (and) the budget just started July First," Spence told the crowd of about 80 people, a few of whom gasped at that figure.  "What don’t we understand about that we’re robbing Peter to pay Paul, and we are not hearing the truth (from the Nixon Administration).”

In response, Isaac Wright with the Missouri Democratic Party called the bus tour “cute.”

"When is Dave Spence going to tell Missourians what happend to the $40 million bailout that his bank took and refused to repay?" Wright said in a written statement.

The bus tour's second stop took place this afternoon in Lee's Summit.  It has stops scheduled Wednesday in Joplin, Springfield, Fenton and St. Peters.  Republican U.S. Senate nominee Todd Akin is expected to take part as well, although he was not present this morning in Jefferson City.

Marshal was a political reporter for St. Louis Public Radio until 2018.