SAINT LOUIS -- Today, the people of Missouri overwhelmingly elected Jay Nixon to be the state's 55th Governor and to bring about the change we need.

Tonight, Governor-elect Nixon addressed 1,500 supporters at the Pageant Theater in St. Louis. The following are excerpts from the Governor-elect's speech. Complete Speech
 
"It's been a great day. Today, millions of Missourians went to the polls, and they spoke loudly and clearly. Missourians voted for change, and with me as their Governor, change is what they'll get.

"I've traveled all across this state over the past few years, but today, Election Day, I took some time and went home to where it all began. Back to DeSoto. My hometown.

"I stopped by my old high school. I walked down Main Street. I said hello to some old friends and I made some new ones. I saw in DeSoto many of the same challenges that I have seen throughout our great state over the past few years. But I also saw the same hope. The same belief in our common opportunity. The same strength of our people.
 
"Because whether you live in DeSoto or St. Louis. Kansas City or Cape Girardeau. St. Joe, Hannibal or Springfield and everywhere in between. We all know that Missouri's best days are ahead of us. We share a common belief that we can protect our unique way of life here in Missouri, while at the same time moving boldly to embrace the future. I've seen that hope and that optimism everywhere. On family farms and in our factories, in our biggest cities and our smallest towns.
 
"It's the hope of hardworking families who want steady jobs and good health care, and a chance to get ahead. Most importantly, I see the basic hope that unites us all: the hope that our kids will do better than we did. The hope that the next generation will be able to seize opportunities that we cannot even imagine today.
 
"Together, we need to see that future, and boldly move forward to meet it. We'll embrace science, not fear it. We'll build a climate in Missouri that encourages more research, more technology and more innovation. A place where employers want to create the jobs of tomorrow. . . .

"Loudly and clearly, today the people of Missouri have called for change. And make no mistake, change is what you'll get.

"Now, let's talk about what that change means.

"Change means creating new jobs, training new workers, and seizing the new economy. We're in the midst of an economic crisis, and we can't wait for Washington to fix it. Here in Missouri, we must take matters into our own hands and get folks back to work. That's the kind of change we'll fight for.

"Change means restoring the 2005 health care cuts. Making our health care system more efficient. And access to affordable health care for every child in our state.

"And change means helping more Missouri families realize the dream of a college education. Too many middle-class families are unable to afford college for their children ... and too many students who make it to college are graduating with tens of thousands of dollars in debt.  So we'll create a pathway for middle-class students to get a four-year degree and graduate debt free.

"Some will stand against us. Some will say change is impossible. They'll fight to keep things just the way they are. But the status quo is unacceptable. It's unacceptable to me, and it's unacceptable to the people of Missouri. With your help, we will succeed in bringing about the change our state needs, and succeed in building a better future.

"It has been a long campaign. But now is the time to put the politics behind us. It's time to put aside our party labels, and to come together as Missourians.
 
"If you supported me in this campaign, I still need your help. If you voted for someone else, join us now. We must end the partisanship that has divided us for so long.

"To bring about real change, we'll need every voice and every idea. Everyone will have a seat at the table. We won't solve every problem overnight. But I make you this promise: With your help, we'll make progress again.
 
"As I was driving through DeSoto today, I recalled how I spent my summers as a young man. For seven years -- all through college and law school -- I worked in construction. I was part of a hard-working team, and we built things. Everyone came to work early, and nobody left until the job was done.

"I learned a lot from those guys. And on my last day as a part of that team, my fellow workers gave me a gift -- a beat up old shovel that I had used every day for those seven long summers. They knew I was moving on, but they didn't want me to forget where I had come from. I treasure that old shovel. And throughout my time in the State Senate and as Attorney General, it's been in my office. Right where I could see it.
 
"Now, in a few short months, I'll move that old shovel into the Governor's office. And when important decisions must be made, it will be in the corner of my eye. That old shovel symbolizes the millions of hardworking Missourians who wake up early everyday and build this great state. And it helps me never forget who I am, where I'm from, or who sent me.
 
"So tonight, I say to the people of Missouri, thank you. But more importantly, I say join me. Our job is just beginning. Now comes the real challenge.

"But working together, we can achieve anything. Working together, we will move Missouri forward."

New Post-Dispatch Poll Gives Jay Nixon 55- 41 Lead; Major Newspapers Across the State Know Nixon Will Bring the Change We Need

SAINT LOUIS, Mo. -- Eight days before Missourians go to the polls, all signs are pointing to Jay Nixon for Governor.  Today’s Saint Louis Post-Dispatch poll showed Jay Nixon to have a 55% - 41% lead, and over the weekend, Nixon picked up key endorsements from the Kansas City Star, the Independence Examiner and the Joplin Globe. 


Nixon had already earned the endorsements of the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch and the Columbia Daily Tribune. 

“As the election nears, the desire to take Missouri in a new direction continues to grow. That’s why Missourians from all political parties and all regions of the state are uniting behind Jay Nixon,” said Oren Shur, Nixon’s campaign spokesman.  “During these tough economic times, the last thing Missouri families need is a Congressman who has been out in Washington creating this mess.  Missourians know Jay Nixon, and they know he’ll fight every day to turn this economy around and get our state moving forward again. There’s a tremendous amount of energy around this campaign that will carry right through Election Day.”

Today’s Post-Dispatch poll also showed Attorney General Nixon’s favorable rating to be at 60 % heading into the election, while just 33% of Missourians view him unfavorably. 

Read more about the Post-Dispatch poll: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/politics/story/59C1B87FFB7212D6862574EF000CAF74?OpenDocument

Virtually all of the state’s major newspapers have endorsed Jay Nixon for Governor:

Kansas City Star: “[Nixon’s] ready -- and Missouri is definitely ready -- for the kind of sustained leadership and well-considered ideas that he offers . . . [B]y championing concerns for middle- and low-income families and children, Nixon would move Missouri forward.” 
http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/858281.html

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “Jay Nixon has the talent, experience and deep-rooted progressive principles to be an excellent governor. He offers Missouri a chance for bold, transformative leadership.” http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/editorialcommentary/story/4DE8AE5D6A7C97BA862574E50081528E?OpenDocument

Columbia Daily Tribune: “Jay Nixon is the best choice for Governor of Missouri, mainly because of his passion for running the office in an accountable, effective way . . . He knows the territory and has the energy to dig in.  Jay Nixon could be one of Missouri’s best governors.”
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Oct/20081017Comm001.asp

Joplin Globe: “His service to Southwest Missouri, experience in state government and his attention to local issues make him our choice for governor . . . We think Nixon is the best-qualified to move Missouri forward.” 
http://www.joplinglobe.com/editorial/local_story_298110221.html/resources_printstory

Independence Examiner:  “His stated priorities -- jobs, education, health care -- are in line with Missouri’s current pressing needs. . . It’s also worth noting that Nixon has been in the area, making his pitch and listening to people.  Hulshof just hasn’t been visible around here.”
http://www.examiner.net/opinions/x1157496103/Our-Opinion-Govenor-Nixon

Congressman Hulshof unable to defend his record of reckless spending in Washington: 11,000 earmarks and record deficits

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- In tonight's final gubernatorial debate, Attorney General Jay Nixon outlined his agenda to bring about the change that Missouri families need, and highlighted his long record of running a fiscally responsible government agency.  Congressman Kenny Hulshof, meanwhile, was unable to defend his Washington record of wasteful spending and gave Missourians no reason to believe he is capable of managing the state's budget.
 
"There is only one fiscally responsible candidate in this race, and that's Jay Nixon," said Oren Shur, Nixon's campaign spokesman. "While Congressman Hulshof has been in Washington voting for 11,000 earmarks and record deficits, Jay Nixon has balanced budgets and saved the taxpayers money.  The Congressman was asked to defend his votes for reckless earmarks, and he was unable to, because those votes are indefensible.  If Congressman Hulshof can't explain why he voted for hundreds of millions in wasteful earmarks, why should Missourians trust him to oversee our state's budget?  Here in Missouri, we don't print money like Congressman Hulshof is used to doing out in Washington."

When Congressman Hulshof was asked to specifically defend his up-or-down votes for wasteful earmarks, he dodged the issue and failed to account for his Washington record.  The Congressman did, however, remind Missourians that he voted for the Bridge for Nowhere.

See the attached document for a comparison of the candidates' records on fiscal responsibility.

Missouri’s newspapers know Jay Nixon will bring about the change we need.

Jay has picked up the following major newspaper endorsements:


Click here to read the endorsement


Click here to read the endorsement


Click here to read the endorsement


Click here to read the endorsement


Click here to read the endorsement

In Final Weeks of Campaign, Nixon Will Host Economic Discussions with Innovators, Workers Across Missouri

HAZELWOOD, Mo. – Moving into the final weeks of the gubernatorial campaign, Attorney General Jay Nixon today held an economic townhall meeting with aerospace workers and machinists from Boeing, its subsidiaries and related industries to kick off a series of discussions about creating next-generation jobs in Missouri.  Over the next two weeks, Attorney General Nixon will meet with innovators across Missouri to discuss his priorities for attracting the jobs of the future to the state.
 
"Missouri is home to the best-trained, most productive workers in the world.  Period.  But during these difficult economic times, too many jobs are leaving our state," Attorney General Nixon said. "The failed policies of Washington, D.C., have made it easier big companies to move jobs overseas, and too many of our hardworking neighbors are getting squeezed.  Missourians deserve a Governor who will fight to keep their jobs here and attract the jobs of the future.  We've got to focus on job training and workforce development to prepare Missourians for next-generation jobs, and we must use tax credits and financial incentives strategically and efficiently to attract new investments.  The failed policies of Washington won't solve this economic crisis.  But with new ideas and bold leadership, the people of Missouri will."
 
To attract the jobs of the future to Missouri, Attorney General Jay Nixon today proposed:

• To implement a Job Retention and Creation Tax Credit to retain and expand high-wage, next-generation jobs.
  

• To study which infrastructure modifications must be made to make Missouri the most attractive location for the industries and jobs of the future.  This includes implementing a Missouri Green Conversion Tax Credit to retool existing manufacturing plants with the technological innovations required to build the next generation of green products – from  aircraft to automobiles to windmills.

• To implement job-training programs to ensure that Missouri's workers are prepared to compete for these high-tech jobs. A well-educated workforce is the key to attracting employers.

• To create an Advanced Technological Green Manufacturing Fund to provide funding for joint venture public-private research related to the design and manufacturing of next-generation products.

The downturn in the nation's economy has hit Missouri hard. According to data released this week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Missouri's unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in September. Excluding the past few months, the last time Missouri's unemployment rate was this high was October 1991. Missouri's unemployment rate is higher than the national average, which is 6.1 percent.  In addition, Missouri has lost more jobs in the past year than all eight of its bordering states combined.  The average unemployment rate in Missouri's eight bordering states is 5.3 percent.  [Analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data, 10/21/08]
 
Today's economic townhall with Boeing aerospace workers and machinists comes on the heels of several similar meetings Attorney General Nixon has hosted recently with autoworkers from both St. Louis and Kansas City.  At the end of the month, 2,400 Chrysler employees in Fenton will lose their jobs, and the Ford autoworkers in Kansas City have seen a significant decrease in truck sales in recent years.
 
Meanwhile, after a prolonged protest by the Boeing Corporation, the U.S. Department of Defense has halted the process of awarding a contract for next-generation Air Force tankers to a manufacturer from Europe.  Had the contract gone to Boeing, the tankers would likely have been built in St. Louis. Under a decision by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the contracting process will resume in 2009.
 
Additional discussions and tours relating to Attorney General Nixon's economic priorities will be scheduled over the next two weeks.