KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Attorney General Jay Nixon easily won the Democratic nomination for governor Tuesday and awaited the results of a more closely contested Republican primary to learn his next opponent.

In the Republican primary, Congressman Kenny Hulshof and Treasurer Sarah Steelman were within a couple of percentage points of each other, in early returns.

Missouri's gubernatorial primaries became unexpectedly important after GOP Gov. Matt Blunt stunned supporters and foes alike in January by announcing he would not seek re-election.

Nixon had been fundraising and preparing for a couple of years for a challenge against Blunt. With a slightly retooled focus, Nixon has continued to campaign against many of Blunt's policies -- particularly his 2005 Medicaid cuts, which have been backed by both Hulshof and Steelman.

Nixon asserted "it doesn't really matter" who wins the Republican primary.

"They've both embraced his failed policies, so I think the general election is going to be an election about clearly different priorities, regardless of which one of their standard bearers makes it through tonight," Nixon said in an interview with The Associated Press shortly before addressing what he said was about 500 supporters at a Kansas City rally.

In the Republican primary, Hulshof was riding the establishment's support against the populist appeals of Steelman.

Hulshof, 50, of Columbia, is a 12-year congressman who had the inside edge from the moment Blunt backed out of the race. Blunt gave Hulshof a 45-minute heads up about his announcement; he left Steelman out of the loop.

Since then, Hulshof received the endorsements of virtually all of Missouri's top elected Republicans except Blunt, who remained officially neutral. He also won the endorsements of Missouri's leading business and industry groups, which have not traditionally picked sides in primaries.

Steelman, 50, of Rolla, had announced her treasurer's re-election bid just hours before Blunt's stunning news. She switched course a few days later and adapted her "Power to the People" campaign for governor.

As Hulshof built up to the primary with a 10-day tour of 26 businesses around Missouri, Steelman embarked on a 13-day, 59-town bus tour that twisted along Missouri's two-lane back roads.

Hulshof stressed economic issues, presenting himself as the best candidate to build upon what he described as an improved business climate under Blunt. He also promoted himself as best able to take on Nixon.

Steelman repeatedly criticized Hulshof's support of what she described as wasteful spending earmarks in Congress. She gained traction -- particularly with livestock farmers -- by calling for the repeal of Missouri's ethanol mandate on gasoline.

Steelman claimed the ethanol requirement -- enacted by Blunt and the Republican-led Legislature -- was helping to drive up the cost of food, animal feed and even gas. Hulshof, who raises corn, countered that ethanol was helping to keep gas prices from going even higher.

Hulshof and Steelman both generally defended Blunt's 2005 Medicaid cuts, which eliminated or reduced benefits for hundreds of thousands of low-income Missourians. They agreed with Blunt that it was necessary to balance the budget.

Nixon has made restoration of the Medicaid cuts his top priority, if elected governor.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)