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Carnahan speaking to a Labor picnic in Springfield, Mo., in September. (PoliticMo Photo/Blake James)

(ST. LOUIS, Mo.) Congressman Roy Blunt and Secretary of State Robin Carnahan shared a focus today, on an issue surely relevant to thousands of business owners across the state: Jobs and small business.

In releases directed to journalists, both campaigns highlighted what they individually were suggesting should be done to encourage small business job growth.

Carnahan launched “Small Business Owners for Carnahan” today.

“Robin has a record of fighting for Missouri small businesses and has laid out her plan to help small businesses create jobs by cutting taxes on small businesses, ending the bailouts and getting Washington’s fiscal house in order,” said campaign spokesman Linden Zakula in a release.

Co-chairs Don & Tina Warnol from Pulaski County who own Warnol Valley Lakes Fish Farm said, “Four years ago, we noticed our business started to decrease. These large corporations who back politicians like Congressman Blunt are squeezing small business owners out. Trickle-down economics do not work–we have to have some changes. Robin will make the right decisions for small business–she’s bright and makes thoughtful choices.”

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Blunt introducing his jobs plan at a campaign event in Springfield, Mo. (PoliticMo Photo/Natalie Preston)

The Blunt campaign highlighted its jobs plan, dispatching former State Treasurer Sarah Palin, who is chairing Blunt’s small business coalition.

“Small businessmen and women are supporting Roy Blunt because he is offering real solutions to help create private sector jobs.  His ‘Jobs for Missouri’ plan will lower taxes, repeal and replace the government takeover of health care, produce more American energy and cut red tape for Missouri job creators,” said Steelman. “Robin Carnahan will rubberstamp the job-killing ideas of Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. ”

She said, “Robin Carnahan wants to saddle Missouri small businesses with higher job-killing taxes, more regulation and a new cap and trade national energy tax.”

Carnahan’s spokesman says, “While Robin owns a small business and has been helping small business owners succeed as Secretary of State, Congressman Roy Blunt has spent the last 14 years in Washington standing up for corporate special interests and leaving small businesses behind.”

“Just this year, amidst these tough economic times, Congressman Blunt has voted against cutting taxes for small businesses four times. He has also voted repeatedly to give tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, and supported billions in subsidies for oil companies, such as BP, that are making record profits,” Zakula said.

Sarah Steelman said, if Missourians “want someone who will rubberstamp the Obama Administration making it harder for them to grow, thrive and create jobs, they ought to support Robin Carnahan.  But if they want someone who listens to them, understands their concerns and will fight for Missouri jobs and Missouri families, they ought to support Roy Blunt.”

Carnahan, in a television ad released Wednesday reacted to the Obama association. “Hey Roy, you’re running against me,” she said.