Dixon folds gubernatorial campaign

Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, who declared his candidacy for the governor’s seat this summer, has folded his campaign.

In a Facebook post on his campaign page, Dixon said he would not endorse a gubernatorial candidate or make a further statement.

“Your authentic support inspired me every day,” Dixon told supporters in the post. “Together, I know we could have renewed the spirit of Missouri and made our state a place of renewed freedom where no one, rich or poor, would settle for living off the backs or the work of others, but rather a place where all would be free to determine their destiny and enjoy the reward of their own labor.”

Dixon also thanked his wife, Amanda, for her encouragement and standing by him.

The gubernatorial candidate’s campaign took a turn in July, when reports surfaced that Dixon said he lived several of his younger years as a gay man. In an emailed statement to St. Louis Public Radio, Dixon blamed child abuse for his “teenage confusion.”

The report cited a 1992 article in the Springfield News-Leader, where former Rep. Jean Dixon said her son Bob lived as a homosexual for about five years before a religious experience caused him to change.

In an October quarterly report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission, Dixon indicated his campaign had $82,548 on hand. Other Republican candidates for governor reported:
    •    $256,563, John Brunner;
    •    $275,973, Peter Kinder;
    •    $1.5 million, Catherine Hanaway; and
    •    $2.3 million, Eric Greitens.

Democratic candidate Chris Koster reported $5 million on hand in the quarterly report.