Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon no longer will be called the “likely Democratic nominee for governor.”

As of result of Tuesday’s expected big win (he had nominal opposition), Nixon now is the nominee.

Below are excerpts of his address, as prepared for delivery at the Uptown Theater:

 ”Tonight, we celebrate. Not because our victory was unexpected. But because tonight, we turn a page. Tonight, Missouri families are one step closer to getting the change they need. The change they deserve. Tonight, we stand for change.

“Our state is at a crossroads. We can either continue moving backwards with the same failed policies, or we can chart a new course – and begin moving forward again.

“We can’t afford four more years of the same economic policies. We can’t afford four more years of skyrocketing health care costs and soaring college tuition. We can’t afford four more years of losing good-paying jobs to other states and other countries. We can’t afford four more years where science and research take a backseat to ideology. We can’t afford four more years where special interests have special access – and regular folks get squeezed.

“Right now, families simply can’t afford health coverage. And you know what – many of them can’t afford gas or food either. Bills are stacking up on kitchen tables across the state. Our Main Streets are hurting. Shops are shutting down. Small businesses aren’t expanding. Everyone is worried about what the future will bring for themselves and their children.

“We live in an amazing state – full of diversity and potential. And it’s up to us to make sure our best days are ahead of us.

“Solving these problems won’t be easy. But it will only happen if we offer serious ideas about how to achieve fundamental change. Unfortunately, my opponents spent more time these past few months finding ways to attack one another than finding ways to solve problems. The challenges we face here in Missouri are too big for this kind of Washington-style fighting.

“We cannot afford to stay the same course. We must deliver the change Missouri families need. Together, we’ll do just that. Thank you for being here. Thank you for all of your hard work.”