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Bob Dixon announces run for Republican nomination for Missouri governor

Another Republican is jumping into next year’s race for Missouri governor.

Bob Dixon currently represents Springfield and parts of Green County in the Missouri Senate, having first been elected to the 30th District seat in 2010 and re-elected last year. Before that he served four terms in the Missouri House.

He formally announced his bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination at stops Monday in Springfield, Jefferson City and Columbia.

Missouri state Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, during the most recent legislative session
Credit Jason Rosenbaum | St. Louis Public Radio
Missouri state Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, during the most recent legislative session

At the State Capitol, he told reporters that if elected, there’ll be a “new era of openness” in the governor’s office.

“We need a governor who will lead and work with all members of the House and the Senate to get things done,” Dixon said, “willing even to get out of the office and go door-to-door in this, the people’s house, the statehouse.”

He also says he’s already succeeded at helping to reduce government red tape.

“Thisprocess began three years ago when we passed my bill establishing the first-ever top-to-bottom review of all state regulations, and that process is going on right now,” Dixon said.  “Just last week, my bill to eliminate numerous boards and commissions from state government became law … so I guess I would say ‘been there, done that.’”

Dixon has a reputation for reaching out to Democratic colleagues, particularly after last year’s unrest in Ferguson. Fellow Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, told St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum that Dixon “spent a number of days in my Senate district alongside protesters,” and that he “gets it.”

Dixon is married and has three daughters. His wife and youngest daughter appeared with him during his State Capitol tour stop Monday. His mother is former state senator Jean Dixon.

He touted himself as a strong supporter of not only the Second Amendment, but of “the entire (U.S.) Constitution,” and said that he had spent the past 23 years supporting traditional marriage.

When asked whether he would support legislation expanding Missouri’s definition of discrimination to include the LGBT community, Dixon stopped short of saying whether he would sign or veto it.

“I think the wise thing to do about any legislation is to wait until it is ... before me,” Dixon said, “but let me say this about that issue: I think it’s a sad day when we have to have laws to tell us to treat people with respect.”

Dixon’s announcement for Missouri governor expands the official GOP field to five, which also includes fellow state Sen. Mike Parson, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway, and former House member Randy Asbury.

St. Louis businessman JohnBrunnerand Ex-Navy SEAL EricGreitensare also expected to seek the GOP nomination. Meanwhile, Missouri Attorney General ChrisKoster is expected to be the lone Democrat running for governor. He hasn’t officially announced yet.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:   @MarshallGReport

Copyright 2020 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit .

Marshall Griffin is the Statehouse reporter for St. Louis Public Radio.
Marshall Griffin
St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.
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