Sauer was a surprise entrant. The founder of Orion Investment Co., Sauer says he has put about $350,000 into his campaign, enough to post billboards and run cable TV and radio ads. Sauer says he was motivated to run after the Republican-led Legislature passed a new tax incentive for science and technology firms an initiative he sued to block. A fourth candidate in the race, John Weiler of Pevely, has not reported raising or spending any money. Despite their efforts, the Republican gubernatorial candidates still have some persuading to do. Roberta Pulliam acknowledges that she knows "very little" about them even though she's on the Adair County Republican committee. "Usually by this time, I've probably made up my mind for the primary, but it's kind of hard this year," said Pulliam, 75, a farmer in northern Missouri. Spence, 54, of Ladue, believes he is the front-runner and has focused his campaign squarely on Nixon, ignoring Randles' jabs. Spence graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a home economics degree, and not long after, he bought small plastic bottle manufacturer Alpha Packaging. He touts its transformation over a couple decades from 15 employees and annual sales of $350,000 to a firm with 800 employees and nearly $200 million in annual sales. Spence sold it in 2010 and stepped down as president and CEO late last year to run for governor. Spence also served on the board of St. Louis-based Reliance Bancshares when it decided it couldn't repay $40 million from the