AREA OFFICEHOLDERS GIVE ENDORSEMENTS: IF ELECTED, STEELMAN WOULD RETAIN SATELLITE AG OFFICE

Republican attorney general candidate David Steelman promised this week that if elected, he will keep a branch office serving Southeast Missouri open at the Cape County Courthouse in Jackson.

"If I am fortunate to win the election, the office in Cape County will continue to stay open and be expanded," said Steelman. "There will be an office in Cape that will stand up for what Missourians believe."

Steelman, one of two Republicans running for attorney general in the Aug. 4 primary, made the remarks before a group of about 60 supporters at a Tuesday rally in the County Park.

The rally served as the kickoff of a 2,000 mile, two-week campaign through 35 counties in what he is calling a "Vancapade."

Steelman also received the endorsement of several county Republican officeholders: State Reps. Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau, and David Schwab of Jackson; Sheriff Norman Copeland; and Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep.

"He's a very bright and enthusiastic person, and I think he will make an excellent attorney general," said Kasten.

Steelman called the endorsements, "a major boost to our efforts in Southeast Missouri.

John Lichtenegger, a Jackson attorney, is serving as regional coordinator of the campaign in Southeast Missouri, while David Limbaugh, a Cape Girardeau attorney, is chairing the effort in Cape County.

Steelman said the branch office in Cape County is especially important for handling consumer fraud problems.

"One of the most important functions of the attorney general's office is to act as an advocate for people in enforcing our state's laws," remarked the candidate. "This is particularly true in the area of consumer fraud. The people of Southeast Missouri need to have a local office to turn to, and the attorney general, likewise, needs to have a local presence in Southeast Missouri to handle these concerns."

Todd Graves, campaign manager for Steelman, said he anticipated the Vancapade would reach at least 300 towns by the primary election.

Steelman told the rally that he feels good about his chances and declared: "I think this campaign is about Missouri. We want to be the best we can be with good, common Missouri values."

Steelman stressed the purpose of his statewide tour is "taking our campaign straight to the people of this state, looking them in the eye and talking about issues."