BATTLE FOR BALLOTS: VOTERS CHOOSE TUESDAY IN 8TH DISTRICT RACE

Missouri voters will get their first say in the 8th District congressional race when they choose from among three Democrats and two Republicans in Tuesday's primary.

On the Democratic side, the primary will determine the party's nominee for the November election.

But on the Republican side, the winner won't have the backing of Republican Party officials, who are supporting independent candidate Jo Ann Emerson, widow of the late congressman Bill Emerson.

Jo Ann Emerson hopes to succeed her husband, who died in June of lung cancer. At that point, it was too late for her to file as a Republican.

Her name isn't on the August ballot. Neither is third-party candidate David Zimmer, a Cape Girardeau businessman who is running as a Natural Law Party candidate.

Both names are expected to be on the November ballot.

Libertarian candidate Greg Tlapek of Cape Girardeau is also running for the 8th District seat. He is unopposed on his party's primary ballot.

The Democratic candidates in the primary are Emily Firebaugh of Farmington, Gene Curtis of Matthews and Thad Bullock of Cape Girardeau.

On the Republican side, the candidates are Earl Durnell of Cabool and Richard Kline of Gipsy.

TUESDAY'S CANDIDATES

Emily Firebaugh

54

residence: Farmington

Democrat

Raised in Cape Girardeau

Former teacher, former publisher of newspapers in Frederickton, Farmington and Park Hills.

Owns a timber business in Madison County

married, she and her husband, Robert, have a daughter and a stepson.

Gene Curtis

58

residence: Matthews

Democrat

insurance and real estate broker, part-owner of a poultry operation in Oran.

married, wife is Barbara, they have five daughters, one of whom works for President Bill Clinton.

Ran for 8th District seat in 1994, losing in the primary.

Thad Bullock

79

residence: Cape Girardeau

Democrat

Grew up in Dunklin County, owns a farm near Kennett.

Had a piano store in the old Marquette Hotel in Cape Girardeau for 40 years before closing it in 1991.

married, wife's name, Ruby, they have four children.

Richard Kline

56

residence: Gipsy

Republican

Served in the Navy from 1958-1962. and then in the Coast Guard until 1980, when he retired.

Moved to Gipsy in 1986

married, wife's name is Lucille. They have four children.

Earl Durnell

60

residence: Cabool

Republican

cattle farmer

Ran for the 8th District seat in 1992, losing in the primary.

married, wife is Emily, they have six children.