By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
A Neosho resident has announced plans to run as an independent candidate for state representative from Missouri’s 130th legislative district.
Matt Clark, 39, is seeking the post currently held by Kevin Wilson, whose tenure will end due to term limits. He is the third person to publicly announce for the seat; Lynn Otey, Neosho, and Bill Reiboldt, rural Neosho, have said they will seek the Republican nomination for the office, forcing a primary.
Clark, 39, said he formerly was a Republican, but he decided to run as an independent because he believes the GOP strayed from its conservative roots.
“They didn’t do enough to secure the borders, they turned the banks loose on people and brought on our economic problems, and they gave away our jobs to other countries,” he said.
If elected, Clark said his focus in the Legislature would include education and jobs.
A Diamond native, Clark said he has lived in Neosho for 15 years. He said he holds a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from American Intercontinental University in Atlanta, Ga.
Clark said he currently works as a merchandiser for a film distribution and rental company. He said he earlier worked in the grocery business, in retail management and for seven years worked for a company that provided systems and support for the Missouri State Lottery.
Deadlines
Filing for the November 2010 election runs from Feb. 23 to March 30, according to the Missouri Secretary of State’s office.
