Who can do a better job of making Missouri's economy strong, Kenny Hulshof or Jay Nixon? They didn't go head to head, but they were given equal time at today's Mid-Missouri's Economic Summit. Both candidates have a game plan on making Missouri a better place to live.

Education, health care, and Missouri jobs were just the beginning of the topics candidates addressed at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. Hulshof began his speech talking about his Missouri business tour--that took him to more than 30 businesses.

"The purpose of going was to listen to see what were doing well so we can continue to do it and what Missouri is not doing well so we can fix it," said Republican Congressman Kenny Hulshof.

Hulshof went on to talk about how this tour has enabled him to get a real feel for Missouri's economic state.

Nixon focused much of this speech on the two areas he says are at the front end of his campaign---health care and education.

"We have to once again have public education as a value not as a political position, not as a wedge issue as a value," said Attorney General Jay Nixon. Nixon is the Democratic candidate for governor.

Hulshof described to the audience what he calls his philosophy of the Missouri dream. "The kid from a farm or a kid from Jefferson City or Downtown St. Louis or Kansas City if you get a world class education here," said Hulshof.

Outsourcing of Missouri jobs was also a hot topic of discussion--as Nixon accused Husholf of supporting tax loopholes and deals that he says have sent Missouri jobs overseas. "When Missouri jobs get shipped overseas it hurts Missouri families, it hurts Missouri business, it hurts Missouri economy, it hurts everyone," said Nixon.

On a day the two candidates avoided each other, and shared the podium, there's still time for these voters to see them head to head. This is the second annual economic summit. Representatives from twelve counties attended Friday's event.