DEXTER, Mo. -- Gary L. Gaines, a lifelong Dexter resident, filed Wednesday as a Democratic candidate for state representative in the 151st District, which includes all of Stoddard County and part of Scott County, the Daily American Republic reported. The Republican candidates in the Aug. 7 primary election are Bob Thrower of Dexter and Dennis Fowler of Advance. Gaines worked for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for 25 years and director of the Southeast Regional Office at Poplar Bluff for nearly 20 years. Before his state job, Gaines worked in the private sector for 16 years. He was part owner and helped run a small engineering firm in Dexter. An Army veteran, Gaines has three engineering degrees from the University of Missouri at Rolla, now Missouri S&T. "I have ideas on how to improve our area and I want to hear from the voters," Gaines said. He said he wants to limit and eventually stop agricultural burning. He also wants to reduce class sizes in schools, get the highway department back on its feet and keep welfare available as a safety net, not a lifestyle.

Pertinent address:

Dexter, MO