JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)- Republican businessman Dave Spence has been touting his record creating jobs while campaigning to become Missouri governor. Yet records obtained by The Associated Press show Spence’s business had to repay $75,000 of incentives to New York after not meeting a job target.

The failed business venture occurred in the mid-2000s. Spence’s campaign says New York was a poor place to do business and that Missouri is in similarly poor shape under Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

The debate over whose policies can best spur job creation figures to be a pivotal issue in the November elections. But Spence first must win a Republican primary.

Spence stepped down last year as president and CEO of Alpha Packaging. He notes the company grew from 15 employees to more than 800 under his watch.

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