JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - An eastern Missouri businessman said Tuesday that he's raising money to run as an independent candidate for Missouri governor in 2016.
Les Turilli Jr. said he's an evangelical Christian who felt a calling from the Lord to enter the race. He said he is conservative on business issues and liberal in supporting government assistance for those in need.
"My purpose in running for this race is not for position of power or position of notoriety," Turilli said Tuesday. "My cause for this is to serve the people."
Turilli, 46, is an executive vice president at his parent's business, Meramec Caverns Enterprises and has a bachelor's degree in management and entrepreneurship from Baylor University. He said he wants to encourage business formation and downsize certain areas of government.
"I'm a business owner. I'm an entrepreneur, Turilli said. "I know business. I know economics. I know accounting. I know what it takes for businesses to succeed and I know what it takes for people to get by."
He also said the Bible should be taught in schools, the sole abortion clinic in Missouri should be closed and families should be strengthened.
"Spiritual revival, that's what the country needs more than anything else," he said.