By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

In a surprise move today, one of the leading republican candidates for state senate in the Bootheel has withdrawn from the race.

State. Rep. Gayle Kingery of Poplar Bluff announced today his would not be a candidate for state senate in the 25th senatorial district in the Bootheel. Kingery had announced earlier this year his intention to seek the state senate post being vacated by State Senator Rob Mayer, R-Dexter. Mayer cannot seek another term in office due to state term limits.

“My family asked me to retire,” Kingery said in exclusive telephone call to the ShowMe Times. “My sons all talked to me individually and they made a good case. So I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the state senate race. I am talking our name out of consideration.”

Kingery said his four sons – three of whom live in Colorado and the fourth in Texas – all encouraged their dad to retire and to have more time to travel, camp and enjoy being with family. He said one son was home recently from serving in the military in Iraq, and the family was all together in Colorado.

“I talked it over with my wife, and I decided to do what the kids would like for me to do,” the jovial Kingery said. “Family comes first.”

Kingery said he has enjoyed his time as a state legislator, and will miss the work in Jefferson City.

“It was a tough decision on my part,” he said. “We have really enjoyed our time as state representative. We were able to accomplish much of what we needed to do. We certainly haven’t fixed everything, but we have made a good start.”

Kingery added that he would not become involved in the Republican primary contest, but that he would “support whoever the Republican candidate is after the primary in August.”

Kingery said that while he had been looking forward to the campaign, he now has other thoughts. He said he is now looking forward to escaping the rigors of a campaign and the Bootheel heat and humidity.

“Now that I have made the decision they (the sons) have all called and are happy that I have made the decision to pull out,” he commented. He said he and his wife are also looking forward to two of their favorite activities – traveling and camping.

“We will never leave Poplar Bluff and Missouri, but we will travel a lot more,” he said.

Photo Above: State Rep. Gayle Kingery of Poplar Bluff (left) with Stoddard County GOP chairman Wayne Jean at this year's Republican Lincoln Days in Dexter.