LEGISLATURE ENGROSSED IN LAST-DAY FILINGS

JEFFERSON CITY -- For some, it had all the drama of a tight election night. For others, it was election night. But for just about everyone, the final two days of filing for offices on the 1994 ballot was an agonizing time that put most pressing state issues on the backburner.

The bulletin board on the second floor of the capitol building, outside the office of Secretary of State Judith Moriarty where filings are posted, was the focus of much attention.

Most House members found an opportunity to pass by the board several times Monday and Tuesday, and one hour before the 5 p.m. deadline the hallway was packed with potential candidates, uneasy incumbents, and curious onlookers. It was the place to be.

Filing for U.S. Senate, state auditor, Missouri's nine U.S. House seats, half of the state's Senate seats, all 163 state House seats, and a number of circuit judgeships are handled by the secretary of state. Except for the first day, the most activity by candidates comes on the final day.

As legislators began arriving for work Tuesday morning, rumors were running rampant -- most of them untrue -- about who was headed to Jeff City to file, or who was going to withdraw at the last minute in favor of a hand picked successor.

Posters around the halls where legislators' offices are, advertised a traditional "Cheers and Tears" party for later in the evening to signify the end of filing season.

State Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, was reading through a stack of mail early in the day when he remarked to Rep. Marilyn Williams, D-Dudley, about how bad the mood of the House seemed to be during Monday afternoon's session.

"It's a strange time," said Thomson. Williams agreed.

"I have a strong suspicion it has to do with the end of filing," he said. "This is a tough time to have a bill on the floor. Everyone is in a testy mood. If you have a bill you have any problems with, today is not the day to have it considered."

Thomason said he had never seen a final filing day mood quite like this. "I don't know what the difference is this year. Maybe it's a combination of the full moon and end of filing," he surmised.

Both Thomason and Williams made it through the day without opposition in both the August primary and November general election.

Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, admitted "everybody is doing a lot of sweating. Some time the unknown is worse than when you know something."

Kasten, seeking her seventh term and unopposed since 1986, found out later in the day that she was drawing an opponent. Democrat Melinda (Benton) McCulley, a former employee of hers, filed for the seat.

Kasten said she had plenty of issues to work on and obligations as a representative. She predicted a busy summer and fall, whether on the campaign trail or doing legislative work. She found out there will have to be time made for both.

Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence, said there was not as much tension on the Senate side as the House side. Senators run every four years, and generally they draw at least some opposition.

"Nobody is holding their breath over here. It's an election year. We've all been through it before," said Staples.

To win his fourth term in the Senate, Staples will have to get by two Democrats and one Republican. He is challenged in the primary by Dean Burk of DeSoto and H.L. Peterson of Farmington. His general election foe will be Louise Falch of Fredericktown, who he defeated easily four years ago.

Staples was philosophical about having opposition. "Everybody is welcome to file that wants to file," he said. "Everyone who is here is here because we ran for public office. Eventually, we will all be replaced. These offices and this capitol belong to the people.

"If one of these fine people beat me, I wish them all the happiness I have had the last 12 years."

Congressional races drew a lot of attention during the last two days, especially in the 8th district where Democrats sought to find a credible challenger to veteran Republican Bill Emerson. Most Democrats who are interested in the seat, like Staples, are not interested in facing Emerson at the ballot box.

Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, who announced two weeks ago that he would not seek an eighth term from the 160th district, received some encouragement to file for Congress and gave it some thought. He ultimately decided late Monday he wanted to spend more time with his family and take a few years off from public life.

Rolla Attorney Russ Carnahan, son of the governor, also was mentioned as a likely candidate, but he too decided 1994 was not the time. Carnahan and Ziegenhorn advised each other of their decisions in a phone conversation Tuesday morning.

There were rumors that Sandy Allison of Rolla, the 8th district Democratic chairman was going to file. But she never did.

One Democrat who did file for the 8th district seat Tuesday was Jay Thompson of Bourbon, who lost the Democratic nomination to Thad Bullock in 1992 by 204 votes. Thompson waited around most of the day to insure he would be the last candidate.

Thompson believes filing last would give him a chance to speak last at candidate forums, which will help him more clearly define his issues compared to other candidates. He also wants voters to be looking for him when they go to the polls, and then choose him as the best choice.

"I just felt since the people wanted me the last time, I would file again. I want the job and we still need a congressman," said Thompson, who is retired from the Navy and a retired state employee.

"I am motivated by my good showing last time, and I think the people embraced my mainstream American issues."

Other Democrats in the race are: Bullock of Cape Girardeau, Don Hager, a lawyer from Farmington, and Gene Curtis of Matthews. Greg Tlapek, of Cape Girardeau, filed as a Libertarian. Emerson is the lone Republican.

Running for Ziegenhorn's House seat are two Democrats -- Joe Heckemeyer of Sikeston, and Jim Spooler of Route 1, Chaffee. Heckemeyer filed on the first day, Feb. 22, and Spooler filed Monday. Josh Bill of Sikeston is the GOP candidate.

Rep. Herb Fallert, D-Ste. Genevieve, who is retiring after 12 years, has a crowded field trying to replace him in the 155th district. Republicans are: James D. Williams of St. Marys, Patrick Naeger of Perryville, and Elbert Al Bohnert of Frohna. Democrats running are: Mel Thurman and Thomas F. Schaaf from Ste. Genevieve, and Ray Krahn and Franklin "Dutch" Schmidt from Perryville.

In the 106th district, Rep. Jim Graham, R-Fredericktown, is challenged by Democrat Don Weiland of Fredericktown.

In the 156h district, Rep. Bill Foster, R-Poplar Bluff, has a challenge from Democrat Marvin Bowles of Piedmont.

Running without opposition besides Williams and Thomason are: Reps. David Schwab, R-Jackson, in the 157th district; Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, 154th district; Gene Copeland, D-New Madrid, 161st district; and Don Prost, D-Caruthersville, 162nd district.