Independent candidate submits signatures for spot on 8th District congressional ballot

Independent congressional candidate Larry Bill of Jackson turned in 7,462 signatures Monday for his effort to find a spot on the Nov. 2 election ballot.

If the nominating petitions contain at least 5,667 signatures from registered voters in the 8th Congressional District, Bill would be one of four candidates in the contest.

Democratic candidate Tommy Sowers of Rolla, Mo., and Libertarian Party candidate Rick Vandeven of Chaffee, Mo., have no primary opposition. Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson of Cape Girardeau faces Texas County farmer Bob Parker in the Aug. 3 GOP primary.

Bill said he will continue to emphasize fiscal responsibility, constitutional government and elimination of federal mandates to the states. Bill owns a real estate business and is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.

By running as an independent, Bill said, he can be free of party loyalties and able to look at every idea. "I don't want the baggage of any party," he said.

The time is ripe for an independent candidate because of rising public anger with deficits and a government that is growing rapidly, Bill said. Those sentiments were expressed repeatedly as he passed his petitions, Bill said.

"There is a lot of frustration out there with the incumbent Congress," he said. "It is unusual that people were as aware of Congress as they are."

When asked where he would cut spending to balance the budget, Bill listed 11 items ranging from small earmarks that have been sought by Emerson or U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., to big expenses such as the Department of Education, National Public Radio and agriculture subsidies. The retirement age for Social Security should be raised, the rules for Social Security disability benefits should be tightened and Medicaid recipients should pay a bigger share of their own medical costs, he said.

"One thing we need to do is get back to following the Constitution in our laws," Bill said. "We need to be aware of states' rights and responsibilities and stop mandating things out of Washington, D.C., that could be handled locally."

The Missouri Secretary of State's office and local county clerk's offices will verify the signatures and Bill said he will be told by Aug. 30 whether he will be on the ballot.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Jackson, Mo.