Kinder responds to ex-stripper's allegations

Missouri Lieutenant Governor and assumed Republican gubernatorial candidate Peter Kinder responded to allegations on Thursday that he made repeated inappropriate advances on a former stripper and Penthouse pet.

The Riverfront Times reported on Tuesday that Tammy Chapman called Peter Kinder one of her best customers when she worked at a strip club in the mid-1990s. She broke off all contact with Kinder, then a state Senator, when he allegedly became too aggressive with her.

An online photo recently began circulating that shows Kinder and Chapman together at a St. Louis bar that features so-called "pantsless parties."

Kinder issued a statement Thursday, saying "Like most people I am not proud of every place I have been but this woman's bizarre story is not true." Kinder continues, "The Democrats have tried to use these tactics against me in the past and they have failed."

Southeast Missouri State University political science professor Will Miller says Kinder didn’t do anything illegal, but the allegations could short-circuit his campaign.

"He is a single guy, but it still questions the decision-making capability which is just a question you can’t afford when you’re already down in the polls and you’re behind in money," Miller says.

Miller also says that Kinder’s scandal could affect his social conservative base.

Kinder is widely expected to announce is candidacy for governor in September.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

Photo: Peter Kinder and Tammy Chapman at Vernin's bar. Courtesy of The Riverfront Times.

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Nixon out raises Kinder in 2011's second quarter

(KRCU) - Governor Jay Nixon raised more money during 2011’s second quarter than his most likely Republican rival.

Nixon raised more than $1.4 million between May and June 2011.

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder brought in $970 thousand during the same time period.

Kinder, a Republican from Cape Girardeau, has not yet announced his candidacy for the governorship, though he is widely expected to run in the 2012 election.

Last week, Republican House Speaker Steve Tilley announced he is running to take Kinder’s spot as the Lieutenant Governor, saying that Kinder is most certainly not going to seek re-election for this current post.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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Tilley announces candidacy for Lieutenant Governor

A Southeast Missouri politician announced his candidacy for state-wide office Thursday.

Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley says he wants to the next Lieutenant Governor.

Tilley, a Republican from Perry County, has served in the Missouri House since 2004. He already has raised over one million dollars for his election campaign.

He says that he has some ideas for how he would like to use the office.

“Some states use their Lieutenant Governor as kind of like an ombudsman for economic development, and I can see myself, if elected, that’s willing to travel out of the state to visit with companies that are thinking about expanding or relocating and explaining why Missouri would be a good choice for them,” Tilley said.

Current Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, who is also a Republican, is widely expected to run run for Governor in 2012. He has not yet made an official announcement.

“He’s informed me that he’s not going to be running for Lieutenant Governor. You know, most people feel that he’ll be a great candidate for Governor, but that’s a decision he’ll make on his own timetable. And if he does, I’ll certainly be supportive,” Tilley said.

The only Democrat in the race thus far is Becky Plattner from Marshall.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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Kinder's car set on fire

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - Missouri Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder's car went up in flames Monday after two men stole the unattended car and set it on fire.

Kinder left the keys inside his car while he was speaking at an event in Cape Girardeau.

The two men tried unsuccessfully to break into a nearby gun shop by ramming the car into its entrance.

They abandoned the car on a county road and set fire to it, police say.

The owner of the gun store says Kinder is actually a customer.

Kinder stopped by to talk with employees the next day and explain what happened.

The car was paid for by the "Friends of Peter Kinder" campaign in 2009.

Police have arrested one of the men and are still looking for the other.

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Kinder under scrutiny for hotel expenses

Another Missouri lawmaker is under scrutiny for high travelling expenses.

After spending more than $35,000 on St. Louis area hotels, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder says he will pay the state back using campaign funds.

Kinder's travelling dates back to 2006.

Missouri's Democratic Party Executive Director Matt Teter says Kinder's spending needs to be evaulated by taxpayers.

"I think that at this point the taxpayers need to do a strong evaluation on Peter Kinder and really ask themselves if they're willing to pay for his extravagant lifestyle they are flipping the bill for," Teter said.

Kinder's spending comes only a month after it was revealed Governor Jay Nixon has billed $400 thousand to state angencies to cover his flight costs.

St. Louis Democratic Representative Jamilah Nasheed says Kinder is right to pay back taxpayers.

"At the end of the day politics is perception. Even though that may have been legal, the perception of government spending for personal use is not acceptable," Nasheed said.

Nasheed has pushed to strip money from Gov. Nixon's travel budget.

Last week the House passed its version of the budget which included a half million dollar cut to Nixon's travel.

Emily Kissee, Missouri Digital News

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