Cape official files to take son's place in Missouri House

Cape Girardeau City Council member Debra Tracy wants to take her son's place in the Missouri House.

Tracy on Tuesday filed for the Republican nomination in the 158th District, which includes most of the territory within the city limits of Cape Girardeau. By filing, she joins A. Wayne Wallingford, a Cape Girardeau businessman making his second bid for the legislative seat.

The seat is currently held by Clint Tracy, Debra Tracy's son. He defeated Wallingford and Jeff Glenn in the 2008 GOP primary and filed Tuesday as a Republican candidate for Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner.

In other area filings, Perry County will have at least three primaries Aug. 3, including presiding commissioner, associate circuit judge and county treasurer. One primary emerged from the first day of filing in Bollinger County as three candidates, two Republicans and one Democrat, filed for circuit clerk. In Scott County, only incumbent Democrats filed for office.

Debra Tracy was elected to the council in 2005 as a write-in candidate. She was re-elected in April 2008, representing Ward 3, which includes most of the area north of Bloomfield Street between Kingshighway and West End Boulevard and south of Cape Rock Drive.

Tracy said she began considering a run for the legislature after her son decided he would seek the presiding commissioner's job. "I considered the question I was asked, which was why don't you run," Tracy said. "I considered that the morning after it was asked and couldn't find really a reason why I wouldn't be willing to do it and be passionate about it if I was chosen to serve."

She said she would focus on health care issues for women and children and education if elected. Tracy is employed by the Cape Girardeau School District.

In Cape Girardeau County's other open legislative seat, Jackson residents Donna Lichtenegger and Gerald Adams filed for the Republican nomination in the 157th District. Both had previously announced their plans to run.

In Perry County, incumbent Presiding Commissioner Carl Lueckel Jr. will be challenged by Richard A. Schemel of Perryville, while incumbent Treasurer Veronica Hershey will face Brian Brickhaus and Associate Circuit Judge Michael J. Buellerdieck will be challenged by lawyer Jason Tilley. All are Republicans.

In Bollinger County, Jeanneal Vandeven and Tina Broshius-Nenninger filed for the GOP nomination for circuit clerk, while Cindy Yount filed in the Democratic Party for the post given up in September by Sharon Lutes. Nick Bollinger, a Democrat appointed to take over the office by Gov. Jay Nixon, did not file Tuesday, said Diane Holzum, Bollinger County clerk.

Albert D. Cantrell Sr., a Republican, and Kenny Trentham, a Democrat, entered the contest for presiding commissioner to replace incumbent Republican Wayne Johnson, who Holzum said is not seeking re-election.

Filing continues until March 30. Filing for state and federal offices takes place in Jefferson City. Filing for county offices takes place at the county clerk's office in each county.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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Pertinent addresses

600 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO

131 S. Winchester, Benton. MO

321 N. Main St., Perryville, MO

204 High St., Marble Hill, MO