Dems have yet to field 8th District candidate

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Two years ago, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson rolled over token opposition and into a third term in Congress. In the 2002 elections, the Cape Girardeau Republican could be on the path to another easy victory.

As of Friday, no Democratic contenders had filed for Missouri's 8th Congressional District seat. Even the rumor mill has been silent as to possible challengers.

Mike Kelley, executive director of the state Democratic Party, said a couple of possible candidates have expressed interest in running. However, Kelley conceded Emerson is "a strong incumbent" who would be difficult to topple.

"We still have 11 more days to decide if she gets a pass," Kelley said. "I think there will be some opposition."

However, other Democrats have privately predicted the party will not field a candidate capable of overcoming the Emerson name and political network.

Candidate filing for the Aug. 8 party primaries for county, state and federal offices closes March 27. Primary winners will advance to the November general elections.

Won by wide margins

In 2000, Emerson was the only announced candidate until the filing period's last day, when three little-known opponents -- two Democrats and one Libertarian -- entered the race. Emerson claimed the general election with 63.3 percent of the vote.

Even during her first two runs for the office, in 1996 and 1998, when she faced legitimate contenders, Emerson still won by wide margins.

Emerson does have an opponent in the GOP primary. Richard Allen Kline of Gipsy is making his third bid for the office.

Kline claimed the official Republican 8th District nomination in 1996 after incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, Jo Anne's husband, died after filing but before the primary. State law at the time prevented the party from replacing the late congressman with a more viable candidate. Kline's nomination proved meaningless as Jo Ann Emerson ran in the general election as an independent but with full GOP backing.

Kline ran for the seat as a Democrat in 1998, but lost in the primary.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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