Republican candidate for Missouri attorney general Ed Martin visited Cape Girardeau on Saturday for a meet-and-greet campaign stop hosted by U.S. Rep. JoAnn Emerson.

Martin expressed distaste for government-run health insurance and the job being done by current attorney general Chris Koster, a Democrat, during the event held in Emerson's local office on Broadway.

"On the issues, we are stronger," said Martin of his party's opposition to the Obama administration's health care law. Martin also attacked Koster for his switch to the Democratic Party in 2007 and said in his opinion Koster isn't filing enough indictments dealing with mishandling of money or immigration issues as attorney general.

Martin was an aide to former governor Matt Blunt and is now a St. Louis lawyer. He will compete with the Livingston County prosecutor in the August Republican primary for a run against Koster.

Martin's view on the role of attorney general has two parts, he said, the first being that it requires someone who stands between the government and the people, and the second being that the person has to be the lawyer for the state while being able to "be a leader and define interests" for Republicans and Democrats.

"Standing in that gap is what you are supposed to do," he said. "I'd be standing up against ObamaCare and other intrusions."

Martin has been criticized by Democrats for dropping out of several other races before announcing his run for attorney general. But Martin said Saturday he really wants the job.

"Koster's already told people in Springfield he is running for governor in 2016 This is just a place [where] he's hanging his hat until he runs for office, and that's not what we need," he said.

In addition to Emerson, who told around 30 people in attendance she is giving her full support for Martin as a candidate, the event was attended by Cape Girardeau Presiding Commissioner Clint Tracy and state Rep. Cole McNary, R-Chesterfield, an unopposed Republican candidate for state treasurer.

eragan@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

616 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO