Emery claims 'grassroots' backing in Senate race

Missouri State Senate candidate Ed Emery of Lamar said Tuesday that he has more grassroots support than his top rival in the Aug. 7 Republican primary, Clinton State Rep. Scott Largent, who Emery said "definitely has the establishment behind him."

"I think Scott doesn't have much to base his confidence on," said Emery, a former four-term 126th House District representative. "We have the momentum going with the grassroots and support of the right groups.

"There is a difference between grassroots and inside politics support and I think people are paying attention to that. Scott definitely has the establishment behind him, but people today are not as quick to fall in line as they are to feel like they've been neglected by the establishment."

Emery was asked if Peculiar car dealer Dave Morris, the third Republican in the five-county 31st Senate District race, will be a factor in the GOP's choice of a nominee to meet Drexel Democrat Charlie Burton in the Nov. 6 general election. "I heard Dave at a candidates' forum last Thursday night in Belton," said Emery.

"I think he'll win some support in Cass County because he is a likeable person with pretty conservative perspectives on some issues."

Emery is meeting voters from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Deerfield Community Building and from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, June 4, in the new Vernon County Republican Headquarters at 127 E. Austin Blvd., Suite C, in Nevada. The district includes Barton, Bates, Henry, Cass and Vernon counties.

Emery has been endorsed by State Rep. Barney Fisher, R-Horton, and County GOP Chairman Jerry Wadel of Richards.

Wadel said Tuesday that he is personally backing Emery, a 1968 Nevada High School graduate, and encouraging friends to follow suit. "I have watched Ed pass legislation in Jefferson City and I think he has the right background for the job," Wadel said.

"He has strong moral character. If he says he is going to do something, he stands behind his word. This could be a learning curve for a senator in the first term. You'd think Mr. Largent's effectiveness might not be as great, but Ed is familiar with what goes on in the Capitol and has the experience to hit the ground running.

"He would be effective from day one because he has kept abreast of budget issues and other state affairs."

Emery said his volunteers have put billboards along Highway 54 in Vernon County and will put out yardsigns around the district as soon as the 30 and 45-day limits arrive in the various municipalities. He invited voters to contact him on his cell phone at (417) 540-1497 or through his Facebook site and "Ed Emery for State Senate 31" Web site.

"I had a three-way primary in my first race for the House and contested general elections all four times I ran," Emery said. "We had the same fights in the House as we did in the Senate and many times it was to defend the Constitution against bad government.

"I'm talking most about the need to restore constitutional limits on the federal and state governments. I think people are ready for that message and to see someone stand up when the establishment seems to lack any concern about constitutional limits.

"As frustrated as many parents are over what we call education, your good teachers are even more frustrated. As a group, they're the ones in the midst of that, trying to find the right to teach children the truth but handcuffed by so many government regulations and controls."

Asked if he is more conservative than Largent, Emery said, "Yes, if you look at our voting records and the telltale signs of where our support comes from and the directions he has taken, it's fairly clear.

"But I don't try to be more conservative than anybody. I try to do what's right according to the Constitution and I think we're going to win."