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College teacher to challenge Jo Ann Emerson in 8th District

Thursday, September 10, 2009
seMissourian.com
(Photo)
Tommy Sowers
An Iraq war veteran and college teacher will attempt to win the Eighth Congressional District for Democrats in 2010. Tommy Sowers of Rolla, Mo., an 11-year veteran of the U.S. Army, announced he would seek the seat held by U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, a Cape Girardeau Republican. In a news release announcing his bid, Sowers said the economic recession could and should have been avoided and that the economic downturn means hard-working people are falling behind.

"It's time we change the direction of our district and make results happen," Sowers said in the news release. "It starts with a change of leadership."

During his time in the Army, Sowers served as a peacekeeper in Kosovo, attended graduate studies at the London School of Economics, served two tours of duty in Iraq and was an assistant professor of American politics at the U.S. Military Academy.

Emerson will be seeking her eighth term in 2010. A conservative challenger, Bob Parker, from Texas County, announced in July that he's exploring a run. Parker, a former Republican county committeeman, hasn't announced whether he will run as a Republican or use a third party platform.

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Bob Parker, a Raymondville farmer, rancher and longtime 8th District resident, is announcing his intention to enter the U.S. Congressional race in the District. The Texas County Republican will challenge the incumbent in next August's Republican primary.

"There's a big disconnect between the values of the people in the 8th district and the way our current representative is voting on the issues. I have a fundamental disagreement with all of these bailouts of large private companies. And I believe that members of Congress should read every bill in its entirety before casting their vote, or they must vote no. If you don't read it, how do you know what you're voting for?" Parker asked, adding, " If twelve years of Washington experience tells you to give the bankers and the insurance companies 700 billion dollars of your grandchildren's money, I think we need someone a little closer to the people.''

While speaking August 1 in West Plains at the 9th annual Conference on Private Property Rights, to which he brought his multi-year experience in fighting for private property rights and limited government, Parker said, "...can a country with a free enterprise system, with the freedoms that we have, can we continue that with this sort of onslaught of taxes, regulations, and bureaucracy? I don't think we can."

Mr. Parker received the Real Conservationist Award from the organizers of the conference, the Ozarks Property Rights Congress. After relating to the attendees that a government official told him 9 million dollars of federal money would be lost to the state without enactment of more regulation of waterways, he said, "I think the sovereignty of the State of Missouri is worth a lot more than nine million dollars."

At the Independence Day Celebration sponsored by VietNow Veterans in Cape Girardeau, Parker cited concerns over the bailout of financial institutions last fall. Despite promises to the contrary, numerous banks have failed, automobile dealerships have closed, and millions of jobs have been lost. He pledged never to vote for legislation which he had not read or adequately considered, adding, "I think the 8th District is ready for new leadership in Washington."

More information at: www.electbobparker.com

-- Posted by lumpy on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 12:30 AM

This will never happen. The seat is Emerson's as long as she wants it...it's one of the safest districts in the country for a Republican incumbent.

-- Posted by DonT15 on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 6:05 AM

Is Sowers Republican?

-- Posted by capetowndown on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 7:10 AM

I don't know if Sowers is Republican, but he sure is naive. The economy always comes and goes in cycles, and the long overdue recession could not be avoided. Recessions aren't always bad - helps keep inflation in check; helps in the long run with the stock market by letting things cool a bit.

-- Posted by Beaker on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 7:51 AM

I would vote for a box of matches over Jo Ann.

But, yeah, safest seat in the country. Her constituents love her because they don't read. Sorry, guy.

-- Posted by bearded_sage on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 8:01 AM

He must also not be very media savvy has he apparently didn't send his news release to news outlets in Perryville which last I heard was in the Eighth District.

-- Posted by Observer1 on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 8:09 AM

I personally have voted for JAE in the past but will not again because she is suporting Obamacare. So I will be vting for someone else.

I will be listening to both Sowers and Parker and hearing what their views are to make an informed decision.

-- Posted by adidas on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 8:54 AM

Vote her out. She lost my vote last time, and will never get it again.

She voted for all the bail-outs, plays partisan politics, and, as all congressfolks do, she views her constituents as proletariats, serfs - you know - little people that aren't important, but have to be coddled.

She is not what we need in D.C. as our representive.

-- Posted by Hawker on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 9:03 AM

hmmm, a choice between two liberals...

-- Posted by TommyStix on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 9:30 AM

Lumpy, best news I heard all day.

Good-bye JoAnn, don't let the door hit you on the butt on the way out.

-- Posted by Just__Me on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 12:39 PM

This being either the eighth or twelfth poorest district in the country out of 435 speaks volumes. We are behind in wage earnings, in education and in good common sense. I just heard on TV, and I don't know if it is true or not, but when social security was voted on in the 1930's that only one Republican voted for it. Does anybody have any concrete facts on this? Also, we all complain about taxes, but where would a lot of the seniors be if it wasn't for SS and medicare. I know my grandparents would have been destitute without it. The Republicans were on the wrong side of history on SS and medicare and they are on the wrong side of the health issue. You would think after 75 years they would recognize that.

-- Posted by howdydoody on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 1:26 PM

I voted for Emerson last election. I'm definitely interested in hearing what this Bob Parker has to say. As far as Sowers goes, thanks for his service, but I don't know what he stands for so sorry he won't get my vote.

-- Posted by TheArmySarge on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 1:26 PM

Sad that you don't recognize the coming bankruptcy of our country from Medicare and SS. Still villifying anyone who voted against it. Read and learn people!

-- Posted by bebo on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 3:51 PM

Hey Sarge: You just expressed your tunnel vision that if someone doesn't have the "R" behind their name they won't get your vote. I could respect your opinion if you would have said "I know what Sowers stands for and I won't vote for him." He might stand for just what your desires represent. At least hear him out before making up your mind.Then if you see fit not to vote for him OK.

-- Posted by howdydoody on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 4:51 PM

Say what you may, but come the general election Jo Ann will be back in Washington where she belongs.

-- Posted by mo_ky_fellow on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 9:13 PM

Wow, could the 8th district actually be represented by someone who lives in the 8th district? Novel concept.

-- Posted by semoredhawk on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 11:31 AM

since when do we vote for ANYONE based on what THEY stand for??? They are public servants.... They are to do what WE tell them to do.

Stop complaining on here, and write them a letter.

-- Posted by the_eye on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 3:57 PM

The Army Sarge wrote, "...but I don't know what he stands for so sorry he won't get my vote."

Brilliant Sarge! Spoken like a true nitwit Republican non-com.

-- Posted by Rolla Observer on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, at 7:36 AM

http://learfield.typepad.com/missourinet...

Jo Ann On the Money

-- Posted by smooth01 on Sat, Sep 19, 2009, at 10:33 AM

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