BOTH PARTIES TURN ATTENTION TO 8TH DISTRICT SEAT; CARNAHAN PROVIDES FIREBAUGH SUPPORT

Taking strong positions for term limits and against gun control, Democrat Emily Firebaugh announced her candidacy Tuesday for the 8th Congressional District seat.

About 230 people crowded into a conference room at the Holiday Inn in Cape Girardeau, among them Gov. Mel Carnahan, Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson and State Treasurer Bob Holden.

Carnahan introduced the candidate, calling her "a rising star" in the Democratic Party. He said Firebaugh's success in the business world has proven her a good candidate for Congress.

"I've always had the idea that you should show some success in your life before your run for office," Carnahan said. "She has done that with bells on."

Firebaugh, 54, owns and operates a timber business. She formerly published newspapers in Fredericktown, Farmington and Park Hills.

Her announcement focused on working families. She drew from her own experience as a widowed, working mother of two, promising to protect Medicare, Social Security and student loans.

But the Farmington resident's most powerful stands were on term limits and gun control.

"I know it's the people of this district, not the special interests, that are important," Firebaugh said. "That's what so many of the career politicians have forgotten and that's why we need term limits. Term limits would increase accountability and bring representatives to Congress who really understand the problems of everyday working people."

She said her husband, Robert, is a member of the National Rifle Association and that he and other collectors should not have infringements on their rights to bear arms.

Firebaugh didn't address the recent death of U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson in her speech, but commented on the event in an interview later. Although she was saddened by the congressman's death, it will change the way she conducts her campaign.

"Now, with it being an open seat instead of me as the challenger, my campaign has picked up so much momentum," Firebaugh said.

However, if Jo Ann Emerson, the late congressman's wife, decides to run, it will have no impact on strategy, Firebaugh said.

She will face Gene Curtis of Matthews and Thad Bullock of Cape Girardeau in the August primary election.

Following Firebaugh's announcement, Missouri Republican Party Chairman John C. "Woody" Cozad issued a statement denouncing the governor for endorsing the candidate.

"This endorsement calls into question the integrity of the election process in Missouri," he said. "We have said all along that Secretary of State Bekki Cook and the Carnahan Democrats were interpreting the law to benefit Firebaugh. The public endorsement of Firebaugh completes the circle."

Born in Cape Girardeau, she graduated from Cape Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University.