AMICK WILL FACE ZIEGENHORN IN STATE REPRESENTATIVE RACE

JEFFERSON CITY - State Rep. Ollie Amick, whose seat in the Missouri House of Representatives was dissolved as part of the state's post-census redistricting process, has decided to challenge state Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn.

Amick, who has been in the House for two terms representing most of Mississippi and north Scott counties, saw his present district divided up among three other representatives. He moved last fall from Scott City to his daughter's home in Benton to be in the newly-drawn 160th District.

Ziegenhorn, who lives in Sikeston, is serving his sixth term in the House, but has not been challenged since he ousted one-term incumbent Clifford LaPlant in 1980.

Both filed for the Democratic nomination on Wednesday.

Amick said he had given his decision a lot of thought before filing in the new 160th District. Amick had contemplated challenging Rep. Gene Copeland, D-New Madrid, who has served 16 terms; running against Ziegenhorn; seeking the seat of retiring Sen. John Dennis; or retiring.

"If I'm going to run, I have to run somewhere," said Amick. "I feel like I will have more of a base in this district than running against Copeland."

Amick said he ruled out the Senate race because of the cost of running a campaign and the time required to serve the Senate district that is five times larger than a House district.

"I considered retirement, but I'm in good health and enjoy serving as representative," said Amick. "I feel like I have been able to accomplish some things up here. I'm enjoying myself."

Ziegenhorn said although he has not been opposed in 12 years, he's ready to run a strong campaign. "I'm looking forward to it," he said Wednesday from his fourth floor capitol office just down the hall from Amick. "I've been fortunate not to have had a race in the past, but I'm ready to go."

Both Ziegenhorn and Amick stressed their immediate priorities will be serving their present districts and focusing on legislation for the 1992 session that adjourns in mid-May. Both also promised to run a positive campaign.

Ziegenhorn said he was not surprised by Amick's decision to file in his district. "He was the sacrifical lamb of the 8th District in the redistricting process. I hate that it worked out this way," said Ziegenhorn. "I have nothing against Ollie personally. I think he was a good legislator.

"I'm just running for the position. I'm not running against Ollie. He has all the right in the world to run for the seat."

Even though Ziegenhorn is from Sikeston, which makes up over half of the district, Amick said he has done business there during the 45 years he has lived in Scott County and knows a lot of people.

"I'm not a stranger in Sikeston," said Amick. "I talked to quite a few people in Sikeston about this race. My objective would be to provide the people with full-time representation."

He said, "I'm going to run the same campaign as always - door to door and meet as many people as possible. I will run a positive campaign."

Ziegenhorn said he too planned to work hard. "If I don't ask you to vote for me it is only because I didn't see you," he said. "I will work hard and look forward to a good, healthy campaign."

During this session, Ziegenhorn said a lot of his time will be taken up as chairman of the House Insurance Committee, considered one of the most important committees in the House.

Amick said he will keep working to secure an enterprise zone for Mississippi County and would focus on pressing issues like education.

Amick has been associated with Amick-Burnett funeral homes in Scott City, Benton, Oran, Chaffee, and Sikeston. Before winning his House seat in 1988, Amick served 27 years on the board of education in Scott City.

He serves on the appropriations committee for education and transportation, and the committees for local government, agri-business, and elementary and secondary education.

Ziegenhorn, who has a real estate business, also serves on committees for banks and financial institutions, and governmental review.

The 160th District includes all of the city of Sikeston, Miner, Bertrand, Benton, Kelso, New Hamburg, Vanduser, Blodgett, Haywood City, and about two-thirds of Scott City. About 12,000 of the approximately 31,000 residents of the district are now represented by Amick and most of the rest are served by Ziegenhorn.

Amick agreed that on paper he appears to be the underdog going in. "I'll concede that I'm an underdog; it's certainly more his district than mine. But I'm too young to retire."

Ziegenhorn agreed that he will have an edge going in. "I feel I've got the upper hand because it is more of my present district than his. But I'm still going to work hard and I'm not taking anything for granted."