Sikeston Mayor Bill Burch became the first potential Senate candidate to take a tangible step toward seeking that office last week when he assumed a place in line outside the secretary of state's office in Jefferson City.

Burch is having someone hold the spot in line for him, but on Tuesday morning he will be on hand personally to formally file. By being first in line, Burch is assured of having his name first on the primary election ballot of Democratic candidates for the 27th District seat in the Missouri Senate.

Filing for all offices on the 1992 ballot in Missouri begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

State Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, had been scheduled to become the first candidate to enter the Senate race. Around New Year's Day supporters were being advised that Kasten was planning a formal announcement as a Republican candidate at 5 p.m. last Tuesday at Plaza Galleria.

However, Kasten decided to delay the announcement.

Burch will formally declare his candidacy this afternoon in Cape Girardeau at 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn.

Sen. John Dennis, D-Benton, who was first elected in 1976, is not seeking a fifth term this year. The newly drawn 27th District includes the counties of Cape Girardeau, Perry, Madison, Bollinger, Mississippi and Scott.

Former state Rep. Betty Hearnes of Charleston has not made a final decision but indicated she is leaning toward entering the Democratic primary.

"I am very seriously looking at the race and am talking to certain people around the district," said Hearnes, who indicated she did not believe Tuesday's start of filing was any kind of deadline for her.

Kasten said Saturday even though she delayed her formal announcement, she is still give serious consideration to the Senate race.

"I'm still not totally decided, but I do need to make some kind of decision right away," said Kasten.

Kasten, serving her fifth 2-year term in the House, said she delayed the announcement "to re-consider some of the issues I had not considered and to be better organized if I did decide to run. I am still in the process of doing that and at this point have nothing definite to say."

Another potential Republican candidate, Josh Bill, an insurance agent from Sikeston, ended his Senate quest last week by filing as a candidate for the city council in his hometown. Bill had spent the last several weeks talking with people around the district.

Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep said he still has not ruled out a Senate race, but admitted he was leaning against the campaign.

Another potential Republican candidate who has surfaced recently is Peter Kinder, of Cape Girardeau, associate publisher of the Southeast Missourian. Kinder has been contacting party leaders and civic leaders in the district discussing his possible candidacy.

Among the other Democrats studying the Senate race are Rep. Ollie Amick, D-Scott City, and Hugh White, a Cape Girardeau city councilman.

Amick said last week, however, that he has just about ruled out a Senate race. "I feel like I have my mind made up one day and then the next day I have a different feeling," said Amick. "Right now I have pretty well dismissed the possibility of going for the Senate.

"I think sooner or later some strong candidate should emerge."

Amick said he was concerned about the costs of running and the time required to be a senator.

Amick is serving his second term in the House, but under re-di~strict~ing, his current district was carved up three ways. Last fall, Amick moved into the district of Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, and said he is leaning toward challenging Ziegenhorn.

Ziegenhorn, who had also been mentioned as a possible Senate candidate, has made it clear he plans to seek re-election to a seventh term in the House.

Hearnes said she hopes to make a final decision within two weeks and points out that she has received some encouragement to run.

"I think people know that I have the experience to do the job. There is never any doubt about that," said Hearnes.

Like other candidates, one factor in Hearnes' decision is whether she can raise the money. "I think everybody is aware this race will cost a lot of money," she said. "If you can't raise money, you had better not get in it. Races are expensive, and they are hard. But one thing about it, I have worked in all these counties and know a lot of people."

The wife of former Missouri Gov. Warren Hearnes, she served five terms in the House before challenging Gov. John Ashcroft for re-election in 1988. She also served two years as chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party.

As a Senate candidate, Hearnes believes she can offer strong credentials, including legislative experience, work on education and appropriations committees, experience as a teacher, and a long record of public service.

"I know as much about education budgets as anybody you will find," said Hearnes. "I know this area well and its needs."

Over the last year, Hearnes has done some consulting work and lobbying in Jefferson City. She has remained active in her community through such things as the First Baptist Church and community choirs, Chamber of Commerce, and heading up the Azalea Festival.

In 1990, Hearnes attempted to re-gain her House seat but lost to Amick, who had captured the post when Hearnes left to run for governor.

Some have suggested the loss to Amick should mark the end of her political career. Hearnes doesn't see it that way.

She points out that voters in her home Mississippi County supported her strongly, while Amick's Scott County voters supported him. "It was kind of a hometown thing; all you had to do was change 85 votes for me to win. I still carried my county big because local people still knew I could do the job," said Hearnes.

"Nobody is going to look me in the face and say I'm over the hill. They can't keep up with me. I have probably maintained a heavier schedule in the last year than most people do," she observed. "I'm certainly not over the hill. People are trying to find out what I'm eating for breakfast."