Bill Kenney says the office of lieutenant governor in Missouri shouldn't be a do-nothing job. It should be more than a stepping stone to the governor's mansion.

He said the lieutenant governor should serve as an ombudsman for the public and provide an open line of communication between Missourians and state government.

If elected lieutenant governor, Kenney said he hopes to use computers and the Internet to hold town meetings with residents across the state.

The Republican state senator from Lee's Summit talked to reporters during a campaign stop Tuesday in Cape Girardeau.

He greeted customers as they ate hamburgers and French fries at Wimpy's Restaurant during the noon hour, and then ordered lunch himself.

Kenney is in the middle of a nine-day campaign swing through 75 counties. The former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is challenging Democratic Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson.

Kenney, 41, said a recent poll shows him leading Wilson.

"Missouri voters cannot afford Roger's liberal record of 228 tax increases, over $300,000 in mismanaged state funds and failing to show up for work 764 times while on the taxpayers' payroll," Kenney said.

Wilson served in the state senate for 13 years and as lieutenant governor for the last four years.

He said longtime state politicians often lose touch with the voters.

He charged that Wilson has done little as lieutenant governor. "Nobody knows who the lieutenant governor is," Kenney said.

Most people view the office of lieutenant governor as having little real power. But Kenney said that if Republicans gain a few Senate seats, the balance of power could hinge on the lieutenant governor, who votes to break ties.

Polls show Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan leading Republican rival Margaret Kelly.

Kenney said Missourians often have elected governors and lieutenant governors from different parties.

"I think the people of the state like a check and balance system," he said.

Kenney said he could work with Carnahan when possible, but would oppose him on issues such as tax hikes.

The Republican candidate criticized Wilson for taking campaign money from gambling companies.