Parson switches gears in move to lieutenant governor race

Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, has changed up his 2016 plans, announcing he will run for lieutenant governor instead of governor.

Parson officially launched his campaign for governor on April 30. He reported he raised raised $335,481 for his gubernatorial campaign during the second quarter, bringing his total cash on hand to above $726,000, according to Springfield  Business Journal archives.

In his switch to the lieutenant governor’s race, Parson will face off against Springfield personal-injury attorney Brad Bradshaw. Others expected to seek the seat are Rep. Tommie Pierson, D-St. Louis; former governor candidate Republican Dave Spence; Rep. Caleb Jones, R-Columbia; and Rep. Sheila Solon, R-Blue Springs.

In an announcement on his Facebook page, Parson indicated the current field of gubernatorial candidates all are seeking, more or less, the same thing.

“It is now clear that there is more agreement than disagreement among the GOP candidates for governor on the vital economic, social and individual liberty issues facing Missouri families and businesses,” Parson said in the announcement. “I am confident that when Missourians select a governor from this Republican field, we will have leadership with a commitment to a better future for Missourians.”

As lieutenant governor, Parson said he would run on a platform of ethics reform and changing up Missouri politics to be less partisan.

“This race is not now, and never has been, about me. It is about winning real reform for Missourians,” he said.