Immediate Release

February 23, 2016

CONTACT: Andrew Whalen,

Chris Koster Files for Governor

Today Chris Koster filed paperwork to run for Governor of the State of Missouri. Attorney General Koster released the following statement:

“As prosecutor and Attorney General, I’ve protected the people of Missouri for nearly twenty years. I have done these jobs without ever asking if the victim I was helping was a Democrat or Republican.

“Yet, everyday our state capitol falls further into the trap of partisanship and political infighting. Political extremism in Jefferson City stops our state from making progress. Political foolishness at the Capitol costs the trust of Missourians.

“We must resist the temptation to separate into opposing factions: Republicans and Democrats, rural and urban, black and white. Together, we must build a Missouri that keeps its promise to our schoolchildren and makes smart decisions about transportation and healthcare.

“Let’s work together to unite our state. Let’s work together to bring out the best in every Missourian. Let’s work to bring out the best of both political parties. Let’s move beyond partisanship in Jefferson City and recommit ourselves to responsible decision-making, cooperation, and progress.

“Uniting our state and bringing Missourians together for progress will be my top priority as Governor.”

Chris Koster served as the prosecutor of Cass County from 1994 to 2004. In 2004 he was elected to the Missouri State Senate where he played a key role in the debates over stem cell research, tort reform, agriculture policy, and Medicaid fraud. One of Missouri’s most experienced prosecutors, Koster was elected Attorney General in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. As Attorney General, he has protected consumers from predatory and unethical businesses. Koster has also focused on rooting out fraud and abuse in the state’s Medicaid program, returning more that $285 million to Missouri taxpayers.

###