Former state representative declares candidacy in 3rd Senate District; Sikeston man runs in 148th

A former state representative from Perryville has thrown his name in to the race for the 3rd Senate District in 2012.

And a former mayor of Sikeston will run the 148th House district.

Patrick Naeger, who represented Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties from 1995-2002, will run for the 3rd Senate District. While in Jefferson City, Naeger served in Republican party leadership roles in the House.

In a news release, Naeger said though he was forced out by term limits, "the fires of service have continued to burn inside of me."

Naeger owns a pharmacy and health equipment company based in Perryville, and is an Army veteran.

So far the only person other than Naeger to declare for the 3rd Senate District is Gary Romine of Farmington, Mo., owner of Show Me Rent to Own. Naeger and Romine will face each other in the August Republican primary.

The 3rd District is compromised of part of the 27th District, currently held by Sen. Jason Crowell, who is term limited. The 3rd District also contains areas farther north which weren't part of the old 27th.

Sikeston man Josh Bill announced his candidacy Tuesday for the 148th state House district. Bill, a Republican, is a former city council member and mayor and a former chief of staff for Bill Emerson. He says he'll run as a "free-market, Reagan-style conservative."

Bill is the first candidate to announce that he's seeking the seat in the 148th district, which covers the eastern part of Scott County and part of Mississippi County.

Rep. Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, had announced her intention to run for the old 27th and how the district map changes affect her plans are still unclear. Her office said Tuesday Brandom is not accepting interview requests about her campaign plans.