Missouri Democrats are hoping voters this fall will help them regain control of the governor’s office.

For the moment, though, they’ll have to settle for a Republican acting governor who’s happy to share the spotlight with colleagues from across the aisle.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder — standing in for Gov. Matt Blunt while he’s north of the border — continued his bill-signing spree this afternoon in Clayton, where he was joined by several Democratic loyalists.

The crowd included State Sen. Harry Kennedy, State Rep. Rachel Storch, Mayor Francis Slay aide Bill Siedhoff, and the Rev. Earl Nance, a former Slay aide.

Kinder was at the opulent Clayton rec center — stationary bikes with their own flat-screen television? — to sign a bill that enacts the “hot weather rule” prohibiting utilities from shutting off residential electricity when the mercury passes 95 degrees.

The legislation was sponsored by another Democrat, outgoing Senate minority floor leader Maida Coleman.

“My friend and yours,” Kinder said.

This is not the first time Kinder has proved comfortable with the opposing party. At an April fundraiser in the downtown Loft District, Kinder received the “Obama” treatment from St. Louis Democrats

And though he can be politically ambidextrous, when it comes to reaching out to some other constituencies in the state, color him a partisan red.

Kinder returns to St. Louis tomorrow for a Busch Stadium fundraiser where he’s unabashed about rooting for the Cardinals over their Show-Me rival, the Kansas City Royals.