Former state Rep. Jack Jackson, R-Wildwood — who has made no secret of his ire with his own GOP — is to announce shortly that he’s dropping his campaign for lieutenant governor.

Instead, Jackson says he’s joining the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. The two are both Vietnam vets, and Jackson emceed McCain’s most recent campaign appearance here.

In his soon-to-be released release, Jackson says that he’s been “humbled and honored” by the support for his lieutenant governor bid.

As regulars recall, Jackson had announced his bid when Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, a fellow Republican, was running for governor. And Jackson got upset when Kinder announced at the opening Lincoln Day banquet that he had changed his mind and was running for re-election instead.

At the time, Jackson was saying that he was — for the moment anyway — still running for lieutenant governor. But now, he’s changed his mind as well.

UPDATE:

Here’s a sampling of Jackson’s release, just sent out –

“Former Missouri State Representative and retired United States Marine Corps Colonel Jack Jackson announced today he has suspended his campaign to seek the office of Missouri Lieutenant Governor.  Said Jackson, ‘I make this decision after careful consideration and with sincere thanks to all the thousands of supporters, veterans, friends and family members who have stood with me. While I am honored and humbled by their continued encouragement, I feel this is the right thing to do.’ Jackson continued, ‘While I have a strong commitment to serve my fellow veterans and seniors at the state level, I feel my efforts will be better spent by helping elect John McCain as President of the United States.’

‘While Jack Jackson is bowing out of this campaign he is joining Senator John McCain’s Presidential campaign in Missouri. ‘My plan is to devote all my effort to helping a fellow Vietnam Veteran and great American become the next President of the United States. John McCain is the most qualified to step in on day one as our Commander in Chief during this pivotal time in the global war on terror.’ Jackson is no stranger to presidential elections he previously served at Chairman of Missouri Veterans for President Bush in 2004….”