The competition to become Missouri's next lieutenant governor is growing.
Republican Bev Randles and Democratic state Rep. Tommie Pierson announced this week they're running for the office in 2016.
They join Democratic doctor and attorney Brad Bradshaw, of Springfield. Bradshaw announced his candidacy in May.
Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder has said he's considering a run for governor.
Randles, a Kansas City attorney, formerly served as chairwoman of the Missouri Club for Growth, a conservative group largely funded by wealthy political activist Rex Sinquefield.
Pierson, of Bellefontaine Neighbors, was first elected to the Missouri House in 2010. He is as a pastor at a St. Louis church.
If elected, Randles or Pierson would become the state's first black statewide elected official.
