A little more than eight months from now, Missourians will know how many candidates officially filed to run for the governor's office.
State Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, on Monday became the seventh Republican to announce a campaign or, at least, express an interest in it.
"Today, we begin a journey together that, I hope, will end with a governor who will work to renew the spirit of Missouri and get us back on track," Dixon told reporters in the Capitol Rotunda, during the second stop of his three-city announcement tour.
Dixon, 46, began the campaign tour at his home near downtown Springfield, saying many people have been asking him over the last three years to run for the governor's office - and that he and his family finally decided "near the end of the (legislative) session" to consider taking on the challenge.
"Today, from my front porch, surrounded by the people I love and those who know me best, I acknowledged that this process must begin on a solid foundation of faith and family - and a record of getting things done," he said.
"I was overwhelmed by the turnout of support in Springfield - every day citizens, some of them coming up and handing me unsolicited contributions. This campaign is about the people of Missouri."
Dixon said his campaign will be rooted on his Christian faith.
"It is my faith in God that helps me to, daily, set the compass," he explained. "My faith in the Almighty is, frankly, at the core of what I do."
At the same time, he added: "I know that we don't all share the same faith. I respect that, and I appreciate that."
And he acknowledged that "some Missourians have different opinions than I do on some issues."
In addition to his faith, Dixon noted he's "100 percent pro-life, a strong supporter of the Second Amendment (and) of the entire Constitution - and I've spent almost 23 years supporting traditional marriage.
"But there is so much more to address - and we're going to do that."
He asked Capitol reporters to remember comments he made during Senate debate this past spring.
"I said that leadership was doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, for the right reason," he said Monday. "I believe that Missouri is ready for leadership, for a governor who will put integrity above expediency, serving the people above petty politics - and a governor who will work to bring a divided people back together.
"I think we need a leader who will renew Missouri's spirit and offer Missouri families sensible, conservative solutions."
Dixon is serving his second, four-year term in the Missouri Senate, after serving eight years in the House.
"I'm going to continue to seize every opportunity I can to promote good government, reduce bureaucracy and streamline the operations of state government," he said. "I want to help renew Missouri's spirit, by bringing people together for sensible, conservative solutions."
Dixon said he would work to end Missouri's "sluggish economy" and bring "real jobs and real economic prosperity" to the state.
"Missourians want our schools to excel in educating our children, in a way that prepares them for the challenges that the next generation will face," Dixon said, promising to ensure "local control over curriculum and accountability to parents."
Like other Republicans, Dixon faulted Gov. Jay Nixon for not spending more time visiting with lawmakers about the issues the state faces.
He promised that would change if he is elected.
"I intend to demonstrate a new era of openness," he promised.
He said he would follow former President Ronald Reagan's "11th Commandment" of not speaking ill of another Republican.
"The Republican Party, frankly, is fielding candidates who are the cream of the crop," he said. "They have experience and a great record of service - in the military, in business and also in agriculture.
"And I have a record of getting things done on the things they hope to do."
Nixon, a Democrat, is term-limited and cannot run for a third four-year term in the office.