CHARLESTON -- Two Charleston residents will compete Tuesday for the 161st state representative seat.

Since 1960, Rep. Gene Copeland, D-New Madrid, has spoken for the 161st District, which includes most of New Madrid and Mississippi counties, the Scott County cities of Diehlstadt and Commerce, and two precincts in Scott City.

Copeland, who is the longest-running state representative in Missouri history, is leaving office at the end of the year. He was first elected to the House in 1960 and has served in the Legislature for 37 years.

Fellow Democrat Betty Hearnes and Republican Lanie Black both want to fill Copeland's position. The candidates said they would use common sense and hometown values to fight for legislation that would bring economic growth and more educational dollars to the district.

"I think the big issue in this race is the fact that I have the experience to do the job," said Hearnes, who served five terms as a state representative and is a former Missouri first lady. "The people know me down here, and they know I'm honest and that I do the work."

Although Black has not held a political office, he said he is up to the job because he has a concern for the people in the district and their welfare.

"You begin to know the people in your area, and you recognize what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are," said Black. "It's important that I listen and understand what the rest of the farmers are experiencing and that I convey those problems at the state and national level."

Hearnes and Black said they believe public education, job availability and agricultural issues are critical to the district's future. The issues are interrelated, and whoever represents the district must be prepared to speak out often on behalf of regional interests, they said.

Said Hearnes: "Urban and rural poverty all speaks the same, and they all need the same consideration. You have to fight for your own district. That's all there is to it."

Said Black: "We're headed in the proper direction with the trade school in Sikeston, but we've got to get our people back and forth to that thing, and transportation is a critical issue. We've got to keep kids in school and show how critical education is to evolve them into a real successful life pattern."

Neither candidate expects voter fraud to be a major concern in Tuesday's election. They credit each other with avoiding negative campaigns and sticking to the issues facing district residents.

161ST DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATE

Name: Lanie Black

Party: Republican

Age: 51

Residence: Charleston

Education: Bachelor of engineering in chemical engineering from Vanderbilt University. Participated in ALOT Program, third class.

Job History: Farmer

Political offices: None.

Family: Married to Ann Black. They are the parents of two sons.

Name: Betty Hearnes

Party: Democrat

Age: 71

Residence: Charleston

Education: BS in education from University of Missouri at Columbia. Attended Southeast Missouri State University.

Job history: Currently president of Mississippi County Industrial Development Authority (four years). For two years chaired state Mental Health Commission and is still a member. Public-school music teacher in Charleston and Sikeston and taught in East Prairie. President of Autism Society of Missouri and chairperson of Southeast Missouri Autism Center. Serves on R-TECH Vocational Committee and is director of choir at First Baptist Church. Trustee for Southeast Missouri Baptist Student Foundation.

Political offices: Five terms as 160th District state legislator. Served as state chairman of Democratic Party in 1987-88.

Family: Married to former governor Warren E. Hearnes. They are the parents of three adult children and have three grandchildren.