HOLDEN SET FOR STATE TREASURER'S RACE

Four years ago in an election year dominated by Republicans in Missouri, Democrat Bob Holden received 48 percent of the vote against incumbent State Treasurer Wendell Bailey, a Republican.

Holden was obviously disappointed with the defeat, but felt he had laid the groundwork for a successful race four years later. In thanking his supporters in 1988, Holden left little doubt that he would be back in 1992 as a candidate for treasurer.

Since June, Holden has travelled the state, visiting his supporters of four years ago and trying to expand his base of support. He plans to formally declare his candidacy next month.

"What we are finding is the race we ran last time in what were very difficult times for Democrats has raised a strong foundation for 1992," said Holden, who was on a swing through Southeast Missouri last weekend.

Holden believes his backers not only support who he is, but what he stands for. "I believe in good quality public service, and you get that from being open and honest with people," he said.

Holden, who has spent much of the past four years working at U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt's St. Louis office, believes voters will take a close look at candidates this year.

"Every statewide office will have newly elected people this year except for state auditor," said Holden. "This is a tremendous opportunity for people of the state to give an indication of where they feel their society should go and how to get there."

Bailey is prohibited by law from seeking a third term and is a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor.

Holden said that as a statewide official his role will one of working with people across Missouri to meet the challenges facing the state.

"I'm committed to working with people who want to build a better state, economically and efficiently," he said.

The candidate said he has a strong background in Missouri. Born in Kansas City, Holden was reared on a farm near Birch Tree in Shannon County, before he moved to Springfield to operate a business.

In Springfield he was active in the community and served in the Missouri House, before he moved to St. Louis to work for Gephardt.

Holden hopes to return to the office where he worked from 1975 to 1981 as an assistant to former Treasurer James Spainhower.

In his campaign, Holden has stressed the treasurer's importance as someone who invests the state's money, administers the MO-BUCKS program to provide low interest loans for businesses and farmers around the state, and serves on the Missouri Housing and Development Commission.

Holden also said the position will provide an opportunity to restore Missourian's confidence in public service and officials. He hopes to build partnerships not only with elected officials at all levels of government, but also with citizens around the state.

"I do not want to be a party to the politics of urban versus rural, young versus old, black versus white, or St. Louis versus Kansas City," Holden said. "We have one taxpayer base. We have got to look to our solutions on a statewide basis. We need to reach out to citizens around the state to put together programs.

"The key to people serving in government in the future is being able to figure out how you can do more with less," he added. "No one individual can do that ... I want to invite people to come back into the decision-making process of state government."

Holden said that to be an effective and responsive state official, it will take more than simply sitting behind a desk in Jefferson City. He said restoring trust and confidence in the political process also is something that can't be done "sitting in an office somewhere."

As treasurer, Holden said he would travel the state talking with citizens about where their tax dollars are going. He also would set up citizen committees to advise him on state investments and seek ideas from other states on how they manage funds.

Holden said he would establish a system to assist treasurers of local governments with their jobs and their efficient handling of funds.

From 1983 to 1988, Holden served as a state representative from Springfield. During his tenure in the House, he served as vice chairman of the education appropriations committee and chairman of the appropriations committee for general administration.

While in the House, Holden sponsored the Missouri Excellence in Education Act and worked for campaign finance reform.

Holden said that in order to address the many needs faced by the state, such as education and economic development, it is essential that tax dollars are invested and managed wisely.

He also said he would like to see renewed efforts to limit campaign spending to give average citizens a greater voice in the process. Another idea favored by Holden is establishment of a hotline for citizens to report possible instances of government waste. He said a greater emphasis should be placed on ways to reform government.

Holden said that during his career he has tried to bring people together to work toward resolution of pressing problems.

"I think what the people want out of elected officials is leadership, people who can form partnerships and work together to solve problems," he said. "I like to believe I've been a problem solver - someone who can get results."