Six candidates seeking the Missouri 8th Congressional District seat present their views to questions from the audience in a forum Thursday, April 26, 2013 in Cape Girardeau.

Sowah Mensah is an artist in residence at the Alternative Education Center in Cape Girardeau. Mensah spent the week teaching students about African music to help improve their ability to concentrate.

Former U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson discusses her Congressional career which, along with that of her late husband, Bill Emerson, spanned 32 years in Washington.

U.S. Reps. Ann Wagner and Frank Lucas speak at the annual Lincoln Day Dinner on March 9, 2013 in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

State Rep. Steve Hodges of East Prairie, Mo. is interviewed by Keith Lewis after his nomination by the Democratic 8th District selection committee on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

State Rep. Jason Smith of Salem, Mo. is interviewed by Erin Ragan after his nomination by the Missouri 8th District Congressional Committee on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 in Van Buren, Mo.

State Rep. Jason Smith holds a news conference after his nomination by the Missouri Republican 8th District Congressional Committee on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 in Van Buren, Mo. Smith will run in a June special election to replace U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson.

A question and answer session in the Missouri Democratic committee 8th Congressional District candidate forum Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013 in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Opening statements in the Missouri Democratic committee 8th Congressional District candidate forum Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013 in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Candidates opening statements during the 8th Congressional District Candidate Forum Thursday, Jan., 17, at the Concourse Building in Cape Girardeau.

The 8th Congressional District Candidate Forum Thursday, Jan., 17, at the Concourse Building in Cape Girardeau.

The 8th Congressional District Candidate Forum Thursday, Jan., 17, at the Concourse Building in Cape Girardeau.

The 8th Congressional District Candidate Forum Thursday, Jan., 17, at the Concourse Building in Cape Girardeau.

Time lapse video of the first winter storm of the year as seen from the Southeast Missourian office on Broadway from 4:30 p.m. Christmas Day till 7 a.m. the next morning

Organist Kelly Irvin plays as the Leopold Catholic Church Choir rehearses for midnight mass.

During the past 12 months, Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau has sponsored several trips to Haiti in an effort to improve the lives of women and children there. This service project was part of a special presentation at the club's annual Women of Achievement Awards Friday, Nov. 16, 2012.

Amy Aldridge, who has worked to raise funds for pediatric cancer research since losing her daughter to the disease, was recognized at the Zonta Women of Achievement Awards luncheon Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 in Cape Girardeau.

Jeannie Fadler, vice-president for Patient Care Services at Saint Francis Medical Center, was named Zonta's 2012 Woman of Achievement at the club's annual Women of Achievement Awards luncheon Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 in Cape Girardeau.

Molly Strickland, executive director of Lutheran Family & Children's Services in Cape Girardeau, received the Zonta Lifetime Achievement Award at the club's annual Women of Achievement Awards luncheon Friday, Nov. 16, 2012.

Dr. Frank Nickell, director of the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University, presents a perspective of Louis Lorimier at the dedication of the Louis Lorimier Library at Central Junior High School Nov. 1, 2012 in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Dr. Ken Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, discusses the former Southeast student from Bangladesh, who was arrested Oct. 17 for attempting to bomb the New York Federal Reserve Bank building, during a news conference in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012.

Dr. Frank Nickell, director of the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo., interviews six Marines, veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima, on July 14, 2012.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks in support of Ed Martin, Republican candidate for Missouri attorney general, at a rally June 29, 2012 in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Kathy Swan, 147th District House candidate, and 146th District House candidates Van Hitt, Gerald Adams and Rep. Donna Lichtenegger speak at a public forum June 21, 2012 sponsored by the Southeast Missouri Pachyderm Club. Moderator: Scott R. Clark.