JOPLIN, Mo. —
Interest in August primary election races is growing, at least based on the number of spectators who attended a Republican candidate fair Thursday in Newton County.
More than 150 people packed the Lampo Building in Neosho to hear from state and local GOP candidates. The event provided an opportunity for residents to hear from all three Republican candidates running for secretary of state.
The three — state Rep. Scott Rupp, state Rep. Shane Schoeller and state Sen. Bill Stouffer — all pledged strong support for photo-identification requirements for voting and said they, if elected, would operate the office to accommodate businesses in the state.
“That office is the front door for business in the state, and I’m sick and tired of 9 percent unemployment,” said Rupp, of Wentzvlle.
He said he would make sure that troops serving overseas would get their ballots and get them counted.
Schoeller, of Willard, said he would create a “fair ballot commission” to ensure fair and accurate language on initiative and referendum questions submitted to voters. He said he would reduce the number of administrative rules enforced by the office, adding: “In Missouri, there are 60 different classifications to register a business. In Kansas, there’s only 10.”
Stouffer, of Marshall, said ballot language “should be clear and concise,” and that the secretary of state should “leave politics outside the door.”
State Sen. Brad Lager, of Savannah, who is among those challenging Peter Kinder in the GOP race for lieutenant governor, said Missouri needs a new climate to attract growth.
“The private sector will always do a better job creating jobs, but government creates the business climate,” he said.
Two GOP candidates who are challenging U.S. Rep. Billy Long’s re-election also spoke. Tom Stilson, of Ozark, said he would work to cut taxes and regulation, and to eliminate the federal Department of Education and Department of Energy.
“The free market should decide energy policy,” he said.
Mike Moon, of Ash Grove, cited as an example of unnecessary spending federal funds that recently were announced to keep AmeriCorps workers in Joplin in connection with tornado recovery efforts.
“They’re paid volunteers, when people are willing to come in and work for free,” he said. “Congress can’t afford to bail out companies or cities.”
Long wasn’t there because he had committed to speak to a gathering of school administrators, said Nick Myers, chairman of the Newton County Republican Central Committee, which sponsored the gathering. Long and other candidates sent representatives to the gathering.
Also speaking were incumbent state Rep. Bill Lant and Freddy Jennings, who is challenging the re-election of the one-term representative.
Lant, of Joplin, said he co-sponsored legislation signed Thursday by Gov. Jay Nixon adding cellphones to the state’s no-call list for telemarketers. He also cited his work on legislation to make health care more available in rural areas, and to battle child abuse and neglect.
Jennings, of Goodman, said he would support a smaller, less-intrusive state government.
Democrats’ website
Democrats in Jasper and Newton counties have a new home on the Internet.
The website for Southwest Missouri Democrats will include information on upcoming events, candidates’ videos and blogs, and opportunities to get involved. It also will provide connections to local Democrats, plus information on politics at the local, state and national levels.
The site: www.swmodems.org.
Susan Redden is a staff writer for the Globe. She can be reached at sredden@joplinglobe.com or 417-623-3480, ext. 7258.
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