Two candidates running for municipal offices in Tuesday's election also have aspirations to serve in higher offices.

Duston Stone is the incumbent candidate for the Illmo Special Road District in Scott County. As a Republican, he also will run against state Rep. Holly Rehder of Sikeston, Mo., in the August primary to represent the 148th District.

If Stone succeeded in his run for representative, state law would require him to resign from his position with the road district. With this in mind, he said the decision to move forward with his run for the state position was one he weighed carefully.

"My move for running from Illmo special road ... to state rep is to represent the good people of our county," said Stone. "I care a lot about Scott County and Mississippi County and the 148th District and just wanted to get where I could better help the people. I've been on the road district now for six years -- two terms -- and it just so happens that this election comes up at the same time as the primary election in August."

Pat Wissman's name will be on the April ballot as he runs for Cape Special Road District. It also will appear on the November ballot when he faces Republican incumbent Clint Tracy for Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner. County statutes prevent Wissman from holding both positions, and he said he would resign from one if he wins both races.

Wissman said as a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau County and the Cape Special Road District, he would be a good representative for the people and "wouldn't show favoritism" in either position. As a Democrat in a largely Republican county, Wissman said he is often written off after voters learn his party affiliation, but he doesn't want that to distract voters from making the right decision.

" ... People don't look at the person; they just look at the letter. And they should start looking at the person instead of the letter," he said.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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