BOHNERT MAKES BID FOR NAEGER'S SEAT; VOTERS TO PICK REPUBLICAN NOMINEE IN AUG. 4 PRIMARY

PERRYVILLE -- Elbert "Al" Bohnert says state Rep. Patrick Naeger is too partisan to properly represent residents of Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties.

The 44-year-old Perryville landscape designer hopes to unseat Naeger in the Republican primary Aug. 4.

The winner will face Democrat Diane Edwards of Brewer in the November election.

"I can work with both parties," Bohnert said.

He said Naeger is "too far right" as a Republican to represent residents in the 155th District. Perry County is a largely Republican area while Ste. Genevieve County is heavily Democratic.

Naeger dismisses such talk. He said he has never turned his back on his constituents.

The 33-year-old Perryville lawmaker admits he is blunt at times when it comes to legislative issues.

"I certainly am one who speaks my mind, and I pretty much tell it like it is," he said.

The voters want that type of lawmaker representing them in Jefferson City, Naeger said. "The people who send me there don't send me there to be weak and feeble.

"I think the people in the 155th District are looking for the biggest bang for the buck," said Naeger, who was elected to the Missouri House in 1994.

He is seeking re-election to a third, two-year term.

Bohnert first ran for the state representative seat four years ago, losing to Naeger in the GOP primary.

Bohnert, who describes himself as a moderate Republican, said Naeger has ignored organized labor, which has a strong base in Ste. Genevieve County.

"He does nothing for labor. I pretty much would like to remedy that situation," said Bohnert. "We have got to work with labor too."

Bohnert said Naeger should have lobbied harder to get the Missouri Department of Transportation to move ahead with improvements to Highway 32. The highway is the main route between Farmington and Ste. Genevieve.

But Naeger said he has pushed for improvements to that highway. He said the project will be bid for construction early next year.

Naeger said he stresses constituent services. "I think constituent services is by far the area which I think I do people the most good."

He said he works to make government more responsive and accessible to the public.

He said he was endorsed by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce because of his support for jobs and economic growth.

Naeger opposes big government. "I think people nowadays feel that government has to loosen the reins a little bit."

Naeger has long pushed for tax cuts in Missouri. He said the Carnahan administration hasn't gone far enough to cut taxes.

A former Perry County coroner, Naeger operates a pharmacy and medical supply business.

Bohnert said Naeger can't be objective on health-care issues because of his involvement in the industry.

"I would be able to look at it openly without self interest," he said.

But Naeger said his business makes him better informed on health-care issues. Naeger said he has championed the needs of the disabled.

"I think we can't neglect them," he said.

Naeger said he remains committed to public service. "I still profoundly feel that one person can make a difference."

Patrick Naeger

Hometown: Perryville

Age: 33

Education: Graduate of St. Vincent High School in Perryville. Attended El Paso (Texas) Community College and Belleville Area College in Illinois where he obtained a paramedic certificate.

Job history: served in the Army from 1983 to 1986. He was a flight medic.

Executive vice president of a pharmacy and medical supply business and president of Health Care Mobility Inc., an adaptive equipment company that makes vehicles and homes accessible to the handicapped.

Previous political offices: Elected Perry County coroner in 1988 and again in 1992.

Elected to the Missouri House in 1994 and again in 1996. He is seeking his third term.

He and his wife, Karen, have two sons.

Elbert "Al" Bohnert

Hometown: Perryville

Age: 44

Education: Graduated from Perryville High School. Attended St. Louis Community College-Meramec and Webster University.

Job history: owns and operates a landscape design firm in Perryville.

Has never held political office. He ran unsuccessfully for the state representative seat in 1994, losing to Patrick Naeger in the Republican primary.

He and his wife, Synthia, have a son and two daughters.