Missouri Gov. Nixon has $5M for re-election bid

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has more than $5 million in his campaign account as he heads into the 2012 elections.

Nixon's campaign released a summary of his finances Friday, several days before the Tuesday deadline to submit quarterly reports to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Nixon, a Democrat, reported raising more than $1.3 million during the last three months of 2011. His campaign spent more than $477,000 and contributed more than $71,000 to other candidates or political committees.

Campaign manager Oren Shur says the $5 million balance shows Nixon has support from Missourians and is well positioned to win re-election.

Two Republicans are seeking to challenge him - St. Louis businessman Dave Spence and former Kansas City attorney Bill Randles. Spence contributed $2 million to his campaign last fall.