JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- When term limits forced him out of the House of Representatives in 2003, Pat Naeger had hoped his absence from the state legislature would be temporary.

With Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, himself ineligible for another term, Naeger was committed to seeking the GOP nomination for Kinder's upper chamber seat this year.

But when the filing deadline for the Aug. 3 party primaries passed last week, Naeger was candidate for Perry County commissioner instead of state senator.

Naeger, an eight-year veteran of the House from Perryville, had previously said he wasn't deterred by the sizable campaign war chest House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, had built early in his own bid for the 27th District seat. But in the end, Naeger said he decided a primary battle for the seat wasn't in his party's interest.

"Fighting the enemy is one thing, but bloodying up a teammate doesn't make sense," Naeger said. "My ego is not that big."

Since Crowell occupies a powerful House leadership post and is eligible to serve another four years in the chamber, Naeger pitched the idea of Crowell staying put for now with Naeger agreeing to step down from the Senate after one term to open the seat for Crowell in 2008.

But with Crowell committed to the Senate race this year, Naeger opted to turn his sights to the open 1st District seat on the Perry County Commission.

"What better thing is there to do than make the place you live, work and play better," Naeger said.

Three other Republicans -- James Thompson, Alan Frentzel and Carl "Topper" Leuckel Jr. -- are also seeking the seat. There are no Democratic entries.

Challenging Crowell for the Senate are Democrat Donnie Owens of Fredericktown and Libertarian Chris Morrill of Scott City.

Scott County Sheriff Bill Ferrell, a Democrat who isn't seeking re-election, had been mulling a Senate bid but didn't file for the office.

Unions for McCaskill

A key labor organization defected from Gov. Bob Holden's camp last week, throwing its support behind State Auditor Claire McCaskill in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

The Laborers' International Union represents 120,000 union households in Missouri.

"We feel like she's the most electable candidate," said Ted Farnen, the union's executive director. "She is the strongest candidate."

Given that organized labor is a core Democratic constituency, McCaskill claimed political points by picking up the laborers' endorsement against an incumbent Democrat.

"This is a big deal," McCaskill said. "We have captured the enthusiasm and support of some of this state's largest unions."

The Missouri Association of Firefighters, the International Brotherhood of Carpenters and the Teamsters union are also backing McCaskill.

School task force

Sikeston High School principal Tom Williams has been named to a new statewide task force that will study ways to modernize and strengthen secondary education.

State education commissioner Dr. Kent King said it has been 20 years since Missouri last revised its minimum requirements for high school graduation.

"The world has changed dramatically in that time, and we think it is time for a serious examination of how well our high schools are preparing young people to enter higher education and the world of work," King said.

The task force, which King appointed, consists of 23 educators from around the state and expects to recommend changes next year.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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