Koster reports over $400K for potential 2016 Mo. Gov. race

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has more than $400,000 in the bank as he makes plans for a 2016 gubernatorial race.

Koster filed a quarterly finance report Monday indicating he had $419,348 in his account as of the end of March. The Democratic attorney general confirmed last week that he is "making the necessary preparations" to run for governor.

Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon is barred by Missouri law from seeking a third term. But Nixon still was raising and spending money in recent months, partly to pay for his inaugural celebration. He reported $427,531 in his campaign account at the end of March.

Republican State Auditor Tom Schweich (shwyk) is the only statewide official facing re-election in 2014. He has yet to start fundraising but reported $71,931 in his account.