St. Louis lawmaker enters race against Democrat state auditor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Republican Jack Jackson, a St. Louis County lawmaker and former fighter pilot, said Friday he is running for state auditor in next year's elections.

Jackson, 62, of Wildwood, is the first Republican to enter the race against Democratic State Auditor Claire McCaskill, who plans to seek to a third four-year term.

Political party primaries are in August 2006, and the general election that November.

Jackson first was elected to the House in 2002 and was re-elected last year. Running for state auditor means he cannot seek a third House term.

In an interview, Jackson stressed his experience as a Marine fighter pilot in Vietnam and a Harrier instructor pilot during the Persian Gulf war. He also touted his work as a test pilot for Boeing Co. from 1978 until last year, when he retired as the chief pilot for production tests.

If elected auditor, Jackson said would he conduct an internal review of the office to make it more efficient and also would make recommendations to Republican Gov. Matt Blunt's administration on ways state agencies could save money. As examples, he cited travel reductions, more efficient airplane use and the combination of state office buildings to save on utility costs.

McCaskill spokesman Glenn Campbell said her audits already are focused on saving money and making government programs more efficient and effective. Past McCaskill audits have cited travel expenses and airplane use, for example.

"We think the record of accomplishment has been great," Campbell said.

McCaskill defeated Democratic Gov. Bob Holden in last year's gubernatorial primary, but lost the general election to Blunt. She was able to remain auditor while making her gubernatorial bid because the auditor's term runs on a different four-year cycle than the rest of Missouri's statewide offices.

Jackson plans to formally announce his candidacy Saturday in Springfield during the Republican Party's annual Lincoln Days gathering.

During last year's elections, Jackson served as chairman of the Missouri chapter of Veterans for Bush, and he got to sit on stage as President Bush delivered his nomination acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in New York.

On the Net

Jackson: www.jackjackson.org

McCaskill: www.auditor.mo.gov