By Mike Pound

mpound@joplinglobe.com

The race for Missouri lieutenant governor is being hotly contested in the Aug. 5 primaries.

On the Republican ticket, incumbent Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is being challenged for the nomination by two candidates. Six Democrats are seeking the nod to meet the GOP nominee in November. One Libertarian also will be on the November ballot.

Republicans

Kinder, after Gov. Matt Blunt announced he would not seek a second term, toyed with the idea of running for the Republican nomination for the state’s top spot, but ultimately opted to seek a second term as lieutenant governor.

Kinder, who was elected to the office of lieutenant governor on Nov. 2, 2004, was born and raised in Cape Girardeau, and attended both Southeastern Missouri State University and the University of Missouri. He graduated in 1979 from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Kinder was elected in 1992 to the Missouri Senate, where he served until 2004.

Kinder expects that the primary election will be a referendum on how he has conducted myself in the office in the past four years.

“I am someone who takes the job very seriously as I try not to take myself too seriously,” Kinder said.

Kinder said he is particularly proud of the things his office has done to advance issues important to Missouri senior citizens. Kinder cited work to secure increased funding for meal programs for senior citizens.

Kinder said his office worked to help get a “multimillion-dollar increase” in the meals program for the fiscal year 2007-08 and an additional $500,000 boost in the 2008-09 fiscal year, which took effect on July 1.

Paul Douglas Sims is also seeking the Republican nod for lieutenant governor. Sims, 49, was born in Festus and now lives in Lecoma. He is a former firefighter and currently a rancher. This is his first run for public office.

Sims said the lieutenant governor sits on 13 state committees, giving the office an opportunity to influence a number of state agencies and projects.

Sims said, if elected, he would work to increase the resources to boost early childhood development. Sims said it is vital to provide strong support to children just entering school.