8TH DISTRICT PARTY COMMITTEES ELECT NEW LEADERS

The 8th Congressional District political party committees have new chairmen as a result of recent organizational meetings.

Republicans chose former state representative R.B. Grisham of Cabool as its new head, while Democrats picked Sandy Allison of Rolla.

The past chairmen for the last two years were elected to new positions.

Blair Moran of Sikeston, the past GOP head, was challenged for re-election by Grisham. But before the vote could be taken, it was determined by party officials that Moran was not eligible to be chairman again because he was not either chairman of a county central committee or a senatorial district committee.

Moran was later elected to the treasurer's post.

On the Democratic side, R. Todd McBride of Cape Girardeau, who has headed the district committee for two years, faced a challenge from Allison and Mike Winchester of Poplar Bluff. McBride withdrew as a candidate and endorsed Allison, which enabled her to win the chairmanship.

Later, McBride defeated Winchester and another candidate for the post of vice chairman.

McBride said as far as he knows, Allison is the first woman ever to serve as chairman of the 8th district Democratic committee.

Allison had been serving as vice chairman.

Other Democratic officers chosen were Lisa Lawrence of Dexter, as secretary, and Al Sullivan from St. Francois County as treasurer.

On the Republican side, Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson, was chosen to serve as vice chairman, while Rebel Dugan of Charleston was elected the committee's secretary.

The district committees are made up of the county central committee chairmen and vice chairmen, and the senatorial district chairmen and vice chairmen.

State law requires that either the chairman or vice chairman must be a woman, and that the secretary and treasurer cannot be of the same sex.