Crowell for Gov, Christie for Prez, and How About Kinder?

State Sen. Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau) took center stage this week as the chief critic of an economic development package being debated in the legislature’s special session.

Some hope his next act is in the race for governor.

The SEMO Times had an August article featuring some southeast Missouri officials urging Crowell to run for governor next year.

There's been some uncertainty in the GOP race for governor in light of controversies involving Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.

Crowell didn’t respond to that article, though he did tell Southeast Missourian earlier this year that he had made no definitive plans on 2012 or 2014.

In fact, Crowell said his focus was on his upcoming marriage, in October.

For what it’s worth, anonymous Twitter account @Crowell4Gov appeared this week urging Crowell to run for governor. The operator of the account tweeted back “welcome to the resistance” to everyone who followed.

The St. Louis Beacon reported that Kinder held a Cape Girardeau fundraiser this week featuring Karl Rove, who served as political guru for George W. Bush.

Kinder sent out a letter in late August stating he would go on a "listening tour" before deciding on a gubernatorial run against Missouri's Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat.

NJ's Gov. Christie coming to Clayton

On Thursday, Republican Ann Wagner who is vying with Ed Martin in the GOP primary for Akin's 2nd Congressional District seat, said New Jersey's Republican Gov. Chris Christie will be coming to Clayton for a fundraiser later this month.

Christie, still speculated about in many circles as a possible GOP presidential hopeful in 2012, will headline a breakfast event in Wagner's honor Sept. 27.

Wagner and Martin are scheduled to participate in a debate Oct. 1 in Chesterfield.

Local Editor Gregg Palermo contributed information for this report.