Differences between Dave Spence and Jay Nixon
Contents
Comparison Article[edit]
The 2012 Missouri gubernatorial election was contested by incumbent Democrat Jay Nixon and Republican challenger Dave Spence. Nixon, who had served as Governor since 2009, ran for re-election on a platform of fiscal management and middle-of-the-road bipartisanship. Spence, a St. Louis businessman with no prior experience in elected office, campaigned as an outsider capable of applying private-sector principles to state government.[1]
Comparison of backgrounds and platforms[edit]
Nixon entered the race with a long career in Missouri politics. He served in the Missouri Senate before winning four terms as the state's Attorney General. During his first term as Governor, Nixon focused on maintaining the state's AAA bond rating and vetoing tax increases during the Great Recession.[2]
Dave Spence grew up in the St. Louis area and graduated from the University of Missouri. In 1985, he purchased Alpha Packaging, a small plastics company, and expanded it into a multi-million dollar international corporation. Spence argued that Missouri’s regulatory environment hindered job growth and that his experience in manufacturing made him better suited to lead the state's economic recovery.[3]
Comparison table[edit]
| Category | Jay Nixon | Dave Spence |
|---|---|---|
| Political Party | Democratic | Republican |
| Previous Office | Governor, Attorney General | None (Private sector CEO) |
| Education | University of Missouri (JD) | University of Missouri (BS) |
| Right-to-Work Stance | Opposed | Supported |
| Medicaid Expansion | Supported | Opposed |
| Tax Policy | Focused on targeted credits | Broad regulatory and tax cuts |
| 2012 Election Result | 54.8% (Winner) | 42.5% |
Key policy differences[edit]
The candidates differed on labor laws and healthcare. Spence supported "right-to-work" legislation, which would prohibit unions from requiring employees to pay dues as a condition of employment. He argued this would make Missouri more competitive with neighboring states. Nixon consistently vetoed right-to-work bills during his tenure, citing the potential for lower wages and reduced worker protections.[4]
Regarding the Affordable Care Act, Nixon advocated for the expansion of Medicaid in Missouri to provide coverage to more low-income residents. Spence opposed the expansion, expressing concern over the long-term costs to the state budget and preference for private-sector healthcare solutions. On education, both candidates claimed they would prioritize funding for the K-12 foundation formula, though they differed on the implementation of charter school expansions.[5]
2012 election outcome[edit]
Campaign spending in the race was high, with Spence utilizing significant personal wealth to fund his advertisements. Nixon benefited from high name recognition and support from organized labor. On November 6, 2012, Nixon won re-election by a margin of approximately 12 percentage points. He carried major metropolitan areas and several suburban counties, while Spence found strongest support in rural Missouri.[6]
References[edit]
- ↑ Zeleny, Jeff. "In Missouri, a Governor’s Race Focused on Jobs." The New York Times. October 24, 2012.
- ↑ Young, Virginia. "Nixon highlights fiscal record in re-election bid." St. Louis Post-Dispatch. September 15, 2012.
- ↑ Hancock, Jason. "Dave Spence: From plastics to politics." The Kansas City Star. August 11, 2012.
- ↑ Suneson, Grant. "Labor unions and the 2012 Missouri election." Missouri News Network. October 2, 2012.
- ↑ Crisp, Elizabeth. "Health care remains a wedge issue in governor's race." St. Louis Post-Dispatch. September 22, 2012.
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State. "Official Election Returns: State of Missouri General Election." November 6, 2012.
