If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the story today from our Jeff City scribe Tony Messenger about Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder’s practice of giving temporary pay increases to employees when a colleague takes leave to do political work.

Kinder’s Nov. 4 opponent, Sam Page, sure read the piece, and issued a scathing statement this morning.

The Republican lacks a “moral/ethical gene in his DNA,” Page said.

“I have spent enough time in the Missouri House of Representatives to know that Kinder is not a typical Republican.  Many Republicans in the House are ashamed of Kinder,” Page said.  “I look forward to the day when the Republicans tear the reins of their Party from the hands of this small and miserable faction.”