STATE SEN. BILL KENNEY TO ENTER GUBERNATORIAL RACE

A former quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs today will announce his candidacy for the 1996 Republican gubernatorial nomination.

State Sen. Bill Kenney of Lees Summit will make the announcement during a fund-raising event in Kansas City. He joins Missouri Auditor Margaret Kelly in seeking the Republican nomination.

Kenney played quarterback for the Chiefs from 1979 to 1988 and was a Pro Bowl selection in 1983. He finished his National Football League career in 1989 after one season with the Washington Redskins.

A self-described conservative, Kenney was elected to his 8th Senatorial District seat in 1994 over Democratic incumbent Margaret Rennau. Kenney owns a real estate company and cattle ranching operation in Lees Summit. This will be his first run at statewide office.

Kenney plans to run on an anti-crime, anti-tax and anti-big-government platform.

"Taxes are too high, the government spends too much and crime is too rampant," he said. "It is time for a change in leadership in our state.

"We live in the Show Me State, and during this race for governor I will demand that we show the people better, smarter and more efficient government."