Gov. Jay Nixon should add Missouri to the list of states refusing to accept Syrian refugees.
That was Monday's message from at least three of the Republicans who want to replace Nixon as Missouri's governor.
In a statement Monday afternoon, Nixon told the News Tribune: "The safety of Missourians is my highest priority, and the terrorists who were involved in planning and perpetrating the attacks in Paris must be caught and brought to justice.
"The screening process for refugees is the responsibility of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and I call on our federal partners to implement the strongest possible safeguards to protect our state and nation."
But Nixon said nothing about refusing to accept refugees directed to Missouri by federal officials.
In a letter to the governor, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder wrote: "Given the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris, France, this weekend and the threat of additional attacks in the United States, I urge you to refuse to accept any of the Syrian refugees being located to Missouri until the federal government ensures a proper vetting procedure is in place. ...
"We must be certain the federal government's security measures are thorough and effectively implemented and that terrorists are not coming to Missouri masquerading as refugees."
Challenger Catherine Hanaway - a former U.S. attorney for Eastern Missouri and a former speaker of the state House of Representatives - said in a news release: "The Islamic State has claimed credit for terrorist attacks in other states such as Texas, threatened more attacks on America and poses a real threat to the safety of our state.
"I am calling upon Governor Nixon to suspend the resettlement of additional Syrian refugees until further security measures are put in place to understand who and where these refugees are coming from."
Citing her U.S. Attorney's job, Hanaway added: "I know firsthand the threats posed to our security when we don't know who is entering our country."
And St. Louis businessman John Brunner said, in a news release: "While I sympathize with the Syrian refugee problem, we must not risk any chance of putting our families and communities in harm's way.
"I strongly disagree with President Obama's plan to relocate 10,000 Syrians to the United States, which St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay supports and said "It is the right thing to do.'"
Brunner, a former Marine, added: "The "right thing to do' is to protect and defend the citizens of Missouri first and always."
Hanaway's news release said eight U.S. governors already have blocked the relocation of Syrian refugees.
She listed the states as Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan and Texas.
Eighteen Republican state senators also weighed in on the issue, including all four Mid-Missourians - Mike Kehoe, Jefferson City; Jeanie Riddle, Mokane; Kurt Schaefer, Columbia; and Dan Brown, Rolla.
In a news release on behalf of the 18, Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, said: "The State of Missouri will not be forced to make up for this administration's mishandling of America's foreign policy. ... We call upon our governor to do his duty and protect the safety and well-being of the citizens of the Show-Me State by opposing this misguided plan."