Republican looks to buck history in Bootheel race

Southeast Missourian

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Few counties can boast of a longer unbroken streak of sending Democrats to the House of Representatives than Dunklin County.

For at least 120 years -- perhaps longer -- only Democrats have served the lower Bootheel county in the House. Many contests for the seat have been decided in the Democratic primary.

At first, this year's race for the 163rd District looked certain to follow the historical pattern. Though a little-known Republican had declared his candidacy, GOP officials held no hopes of unseating incumbent Democrat Phillip Britt of Kennett, Mo.

But when Britt made the surprising decision not to seek re-election, Republicans gave the race a second, optimistic look.

After recruiting a more viable candidate, Otto Bean Jr. of Holcomb, Mo., Republicans now consider the 163rd District as one of their best opportunities in Southeast Missouri to pick up a seat and a key part of the GOP goal of winning a House majority.

Meanwhile, Brent Robinson of Kennett has history on his side as he strives to keep the seat in Democratic hands.

No Republican has represented Dunklin County in the House since at least 1882 and maybe never. The Missouri State Archives has no record of the political affiliations of some the men who represented the county from the time of the Republican Party's founding in 1856 through 1882, though most who held the seat during that span were known Democrats.

Bean, a farmer and businessman, said he isn't intimidated by the district's historical voting pattern. Based on his fund-raising success, his confidence isn't misplaced. During a five-week period in July and August, Bean collected nearly $23,500 -- close to five times what Robinson raised during the same span, and a hefty amount for a House race.

"Of the people who contributed to our campaign, it was a profile of Democrats, Republicans and independents," Bean said. "It was just people I know."

Some of the people he knows have helped to lend his campaign a higher profile. U.S. Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.), U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) and Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Jim Talent all have campaigned on Bean's behalf. Other Missouri GOP notables, such as state Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau and House Minority Floor Leader Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods, Mo., have also been supportive.

Bean, who named a son after 1964 GOP presidential hopeful and conservative icon Barry Goldwater, said his 40-year involvement in the Republican Party has helped him build connections, particularly with Bond. Bean said he attended Bond's first inauguration as Missouri governor in 1973.

Just as Bean isn't worried about history, Robinson isn't concerned about his opponent's financial advantage.

"The good news is they count votes on Election Day, not money," Robinson said.

Robinson scored a key political coup by landing the endorsement of Missouri Right to Life, although Bean is also pro-life on the issue of abortion. While the group supports anti-abortion candidates regardless of party, its endorsements tend to go to Republicans and are highly coveted in outstate races.

Robinson, who is on leave from the University of Missouri Outreach office in Dunklin County, is halfway through his course work at the Memphis Theological Seminary and is a candidate for ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church. He said his faith is an important influence on his political views.

As on abortion, Robinson and Bean share similar stances on other issues. Both rate improving funding for education, transportation and health care among their priorities and are concerned about how to meet the state's spending needs in a time of shrinking state revenue.

Bootheel voters have always leaned conservative regardless of party. Recent trends, however, give Republicans cause to be optimistic about Bean's chances.

During the 1990s, Democrats watched several area House districts with a long traditions of supporting the party shift into the GOP column.

Also, legislative redistricting pushed the 163rd District deeper into Butler and Stoddard counties, areas of strong Republican support in recent elections.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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