SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – For the fourth time since in his capacity as Speaker of the House, Rep. Tim. Jones, R-Eureka, has embarked on a statewide tour touting his legislative agenda and offering a contrast to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

But the stops appear to be at least as much about preparing for his intended 2016 statewide run as they are about touting his legislative agenda. At the events this week, Jones has handed out campaign literature touting his achievements, and an aide from time to time would even distribute campaign fundraising envelopes to attendees.

The visits throughout the state, all of which have been paid for by Jones’s campaign account, have been clearly targeted at Republican primary voters. Of his 54 tour stops in just over a year (not including other political travel), more than 19 have been focused on the conservative battleground that is southwest Missouri. Another 11 of them have been in mid-Missouri, home of his likely primary opponent if he choses to run for Attorney General, State Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, and another nine have been in conservative southeast Missouri.

Still, Jones said the focus of his current tour has been on listening to Missourians, not campaigning for future office.

“My tour is to go and speak to Missourians across the state. I have made numerous stops covering thousands of miles. We have gone into Kansas City, St. Louis on these stops, and everywhere in-between,” he said. “I am constantly wanting to hear from Missourians. I appreciate the fact that through their representatives, Missourians have already chosen me to represent the state as the speaker. If in the future people want to continue to choose me to help represent the state, I’m happy to take their support.”

Jones, who visited Joplin on Friday, will travel to southeast Missouri on Monday. Jones and other members of the General Assembly will then return to Jefferson City on Wednesday for the beginning of the annual legislative session.