By Joe Hadsall
jhadsall@joplinglobe.com
As candidates line up to replace term-limited legislators, primary races are forming for the 2010 election.
At least four people have announced they are running for the Missouri House: attorney Shelly Dreyer, dairy farmer Bill Reiboldt, business owner Charles Davis and retired teacher Lynn Otey.
Announced candidates
Reiboldt and Otey, both of Neosho, plan to run for the 130th District seat currently held by Rep. Kevin Wilson, R-Neosho. The district takes in parts of Newton and McDonald counties.
n Reiboldt kicked off his campaign Wednesday and is running as a conservative Republican. The dairy farmer said he has always enjoyed government, and he believes that now is the perfect opportunity to serve.
“Since my college days, I’ve enjoyed government and understanding how it works,” he said. “I’m passionate about it.”
Reiboldt, 60, graduated from Harding University in Searcy, Ark., with a bachelor’s degree in business. He said he would focus on creating jobs, and strengthening law enforcement and education.
n Otey could not be reached for comment. According to a campaign Web site, she taught elementary education for 25 years in the Neosho School District.
n Dreyer said she is running for the 129th District seat currently held by House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin. The district covers parts of Jasper and Newton counties. Though she has announced her candidacy, she said she will stage a kickoff ceremony on Aug. 4.
Dreyer was born and raised in the Springfield area, and was a lawyer in St. Louis before moving to Joplin about two years ago. She is currently with the Ed Hershewe firm in Joplin.
She said she is running as a Republican on family values, and that she plans to focus on the economy, job creation and health care.
“My focus is on the family and the things that affect everyday people,” Dreyer said.
Dreyer, 39, earned her law degree from the University of Missouri. In St. Louis, she started her legal career working for the insurance industry, then switched to representing individual plaintiffs.
n Davis, of Webb City, said he has wanted to run for the Missouri House for years, but he never wanted to run against his friend, current 128th District Rep. Bryan Stevenson, R-Webb City. The district takes in part of Jasper County.
He is the owner of the Software Center in Joplin, and said he is passionate about helping small businesses.
“Economic development plays a crucial role,” Davis said. “If we don’t have jobs or small businesses, we fall.”
Davis, 43, served in the Navy before purchasing the Software Center in 1989. He announced his candidacy as a Republican earlier this year.
At least one other Republican has said he is considering a campaign, but Mark Kinsley, a talk-radio personality on KZRG-AM, said Wednesday that he is still undecided about a bid for the 129th District seat.
No Democrats
No Democrats have announced their candidacies for any offices so far, said Susan DeCarlo, chairwoman of the Jasper County Democratic Central Committee. She said she knows of a few potential names, but she declined to say who they are.
As for the lack of candidates compared with the Republican Party, DeCarlo said that’s “part and parcel” for the area, but that the election is still distant.
“We still have plenty of time,” she said. “I’m not worried about it yet. We are encouraging people to step forward and take them on.”
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