GROUP OF DEMOCRATIC LEADERS BACK EMERSON

SIKESTON -- A group of about 35 Southeast Missouri Democrats Monday endorsed independent/Republican candidate Jo Ann Emerson for the 8th District congressional seat.

The group, Democrats for Emerson, includes current and former elected officials as well as agriculture, small business and civic leaders.

Emerson's late husband, Bill, enjoyed similar bipartisan support during his 16 years in Congress.

Former state senator Al Spradling of Cape Girardeau and former state representative Vic Downing of Bragg City will co-chair Democrats for Emerson.

"She's always been active, involved and on top of the issues important to Southeast Missouri," Spradling said.

Downing said, "She knows our problems and knows how to get results to solve them."

Emerson insisted that she would follow in her late husband's footsteps and put people before politics.

Emerson's major rival is Democrat Emily Firebaugh of Farmington.

The Firebaugh campaign responded Monday afternoon to the Emerson announcement.

Marc Powers, Firebaugh's press secretary, said his boss continues to develop "strong bipartisan support."

Powers said, "Over the next 42 days that support will grow as voters continue to move away from Washington, D.C., lobbyist Jo Ann Emerson and toward Emily Firebaugh, a common-sense business woman with binding ties to this district."