State rep, Senate races tighten

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

By James R. Campbell

Nevada Daily Mail

The District 126 Missouri House of Representatives race and District 31 Senate contest began with most observers thinking Randy Pike, of Adrian, would beat Barbara York, of East Vernon County, and Bill Yarberry, of Milo, for the House seat; while State Rep. Scott Largent, of Clinton, would defeat Dave Morris of Peculiar and former Rep. Ed Emery, of Lamar, in the Senate race.

However, former representatives Harold Weil, Butler, and Jerry Burch, Walker, say both contests have tightened up -- particularly the Senate race. "I think the Senate race is too close to call," said Weil.

"Ed has run the best campaign I've seen in 25 years. He has done outstanding. A lot of negative advertising is not coming from Largent, it's coming from the enemies Ed made as chairman of the Utilities Committee in the (163-member) House.

Explaining Emery could gain influence quickly with a four-year term in the 34-member Senate, Weil said, "Those negative mailings cost $15,000 to $18,000 each and there have been three or four.

"I'm disappointed in Largent's race. I travel these counties and don't see any signs."

Weil said York could gain votes if the Vernon County turnout were boosted by the sheriff's race, featuring six Republicans and three Democrats, and might press Pike for the Republican nomination with no Democrat in the race. Their Aug. 7 primary will apparently be tantamount to election to a two-year term.

But the Butler city councilman said the sheriff's hopefuls have doused the chance of a strong turnout by running lackluster campaigns.

He predicted Pike will prevail, having accrued relevant experience as the three-term Bates County northern commissioner and an advocate of the Missouri Association of Counties at the capitol. "Barb York has really gotten out and worked," Weil said in a July 26 telephone interview, indicating he expects Yarberry to run third.

"I have seen her everywhere and she has signs all over. York worked with a lot of representatives on Proposition B (the so-called puppy mill amendment). But as far as I know, that was the only issue she was ever involved in."

Conversely, the Republican said there is little interest this summer in Bates County, either. "If it weren't for Pike's race and the Senate race, there wouldn't be a race in this county," he said.

"A lot of people here don't care about picking up a ballot and voting for a Republican because they have voted for Democrats all their lives."

Editor's note/Correction: Democratic Charlie Burton, Drexel,made a memorable stop at the July 9 Bates County Fair Bash by arriving with a donkey in the back of his pickup. "It was the first time anybody had seen him and he threw out candy and talked to the parents while the kids talked to the donkey," Weil said. Originally, in a quote from Weil, the story misidentified the man at the parade as Republican candidate Dave Morris.

Burch said Emery's and York's progress has been predictable because "the percentages always tighten up when you get down closer to the election and the candidates gain visibility and supporters.

"Ed Emery and Barb York have been very visible," the Democrat said. "They've run good campaigns and increased their support. I don't know who will win the nominations, but I think the races are competitive."

Burch said most voters have made up their minds, so the candidates are appealing to an ever-smaller group of the undecided.

With absentee voting in progress since June 23, the Jefferson City lobbyist said most people are basing their decisions on the candidates' qualifications and positions on public school education and creation of jobs through economic development. "There seems to be a little difference on education between Emery and Largent," Burch said.

"I think most people are opposed to the federal healthcare plan and to expanding Medicaid. Everybody's ready for Aug. 7 and to stop seeing political ads."

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