Candidates seek congressional seat in Missouri special election
June 3, 2013
Jefferson City, Missouri: Tomorrow voters in Missouri will have the opportunity to select the next representative for its 8th Congressional District.[1][2] There were no special primary elections. Instead, the Democratic and Republican Party Committees selected their nominees.[3] Candidates nominated by the political parties had until March 30, 2013 to file their candidacy with the secretary of state.[4] Polls for the special election will open at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m.[1]
The winner of the special election will succeed Jo Ann Emerson (R), whose resignation ended a 32-year-run of Emerson family representation in Congress. Emerson officially resigned on January 22, 2013 to become president and chief executive officer of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association..[3][1]
Voters will have four certified candidates and four write-in candidates from which to choose. The candidates are:
Steve Hodges, State representative[5]
Jason T. Smith, State representative[6]
Bill Slantz, owner of a broadcasting consultation company[7]
Doug Enyart, U.S. Marine and professional forester[8]
Thomas Brown: Write-in candidate[9][10]- Robert George: Write-in candidate[9][10]
- Wayne Byington: Write-in candidate[1]
- Theo Brown Sr.: Write-in candidate[1]
Democratic nominee Steve Hodges received an endorsement from Gov. Jay Nixon.[11] Hodges has also received endorsements from Attorney General Chris Koster (D), Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) and Treasurer Clint Zweifel (D).[11][12]
Republican nominee Jason Smith received an endorsement by former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.[11] Smith's campaign has also announced endorsements from large business, right-to-life, farming and pro-gun organizations and groups, including the Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Corn Growers Association, the Missouri Cattlemen's Association and Missouri Right to Life.[13] Additionally, endorsements include all of Missouri's current Republican members of Congress, including Ann Wagner, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Vicky Hartzler, Sam Graves and Billy Long, along with former 8th District representative Jo Ann Emerson and Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and Auditor Tom Schweich.[11][13][1]
Smith, the speaker pro tem in the Missouri House of Representatives, missed three-fifths of the Missouri House's votes before the final day of this year's legislative session, while his Democratic opponent, and fellow state rep, Steve Hodges missed about one-fifth of the votes.[14]
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s Sarah PAC contributed $5,000 on May 14, 2013 to Jason Smith.[15] Smith reported raising $200,313 from April 1 to May 15, and has $228,147 cash on hand as of May 15th.[15] Smith has raised $509,919 so far in 2013. Steve Hodges (D) reported raising $107,728 from April 1 to May 15, 2013.[15] He had $142,103 cash on hand as of May 15, 2013, and had raised $228,501 in 2013.[15]
Smith is considered the favorite as the 8th Congressional District leans Republican and the party is expected to retain control of the seat.[6][16]
See also
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- Missouri's 8th Congressional District special election, 2013
- Missouri elections, 2013
- United States House of Representatives
- Missouri's 8th Congressional District
- Special elections to the 113th United States Congress (2013-2014)
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Daily Journal, "Candidates seek 8th Congressional District seat" accessed June 2, 2013
- ↑ The Hill, "Emerson’s resignation sets off free-for-all in Missouri House race," January 22, 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Washington Post, "Missouri Rep. Jo Ann Emerson to resign from House," December 3, 2012
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "Special Election," accessed February 1, 2013
- ↑ Southeast Missourian, "Hodges tapped as Democratic nominee in 8th District," February 17, 2013
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Washington Post, "Republicans nominate Jason Smith for Missouri special election," February 9, 2013
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameddd - ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "Special Election Filings" accessed April 15, 2013
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 SE Missourian, "Major party 8th District candidates get endorsements from Nixon, Palin" accessed May 21, 2013
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Daily Statesman, "8th District candidates collect endorsements for June election" accessed May 21, 2013
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 SE Missourian, "Major party 8th District candidates get endorsements from Nixon, Palin" accessed May 21, 2013
- ↑ Daily Statesman, "8th District candidates collect endorsements for June election" accessed May 21, 2013
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Daily Statesman, "8th District candidates collect endorsements for June election" accessed May 21, 2013
- ↑ STL Today, "Running for Congress keeps 2 Missouri lawmakers from voting" accessed May 21, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Roll Call, "Palin Gives $5,000 to Smith in Missouri Special Election" accessed May 28, 2013
- ↑ WGEM "Mo. US House hopefuls cite Obama, Social Security" accessed June 2, 2013
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