AREA LAWMAKERS ENDORSE ORTWERTH FOR SECOND SPOT

Southeast Missouri state Reps. Mary Kasten, David Schwab and Peter Myers have endorsed Republican lieutenant governor candidate Joe Ortwerth.

The lawmakers made their announcement Tuesday on the steps of the Cape Girardeau Federal Building.

Ortwerth, on hand for the announcement, said the endorsement was a boost for his campaign.

Kasten, who served several years in the House with Ortwerth, said, "Joe is about principles. Joe has an unswerving commitment to oppose government funding of abortions, oppose partial-birth abortions and support a pro-life agenda. He is the only candidate in the race for lieutenant governor that is committed to that agenda."

Myers also praised Ortwerth's support of a pro-life and pro-family agenda while Schwab praised Ortwerth's legislative leadership during his 12 years in the state House.

"As lieutenant governor, his leadership in the Senate will be crucial to seeing that the people's agenda is passed, resulting in lower taxes, greater accountability and local control of our schools," Schwab said.

Ortwerth has served as executive of St. Charles County government for the past six years. The St. Louis area county is growing by about 7,000 people a year.

If elected, Ortwerth said he would push for enactment of a woman's-right-to-know law concerning abortions. Twelve states have such a law.

Such laws require women to be told of the fetal development of their unborn children and alternatives to abortion before they can undergo abortions.

"If such a law were on the books in Missouri, the vast majority of abortions would not occur," he said.

Ortwerth is opposed by Wendell Bailey in Tuesday's Republican primary.