BULLOCK AGAIN WILL TRY FOR SEAT IN CONGRESS

In five previous attempts, Thad Bullock has never come close to getting the Democratic nomination for Congress. In fact, he has carried only one county, Dunklin, in 1984.

But Bullock is trying again, and this time he is confident things will be different. The anti-incumbency mood sweeping the nation and a struggling economy are among the issues Bullock believes will make 1992 a different year for him.

"The mood of the voters is on the angry side," said Bullock Monday. "I think issues are paramount in the campaign for 1992, and all I ask for is their vote."

Bullock said he believes the kind of issues that will be discussed in this campaign will lessen the impact of campaign money people like U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson will have.

"I don't have money to compare with Bill Emerson, but money will not be the main thing, and as a result, I think the mood of voters will be reflected regardless of how much money is spent," said Bullock.

So far no other Democrats have expressed an interest in running for Congress. Bullock is hoping he can have a clear opportunity to meet Emerson head to head in November.

"I think many of the other Democrats are a little gun shy and have left it up to me to run," said Bullock, explaining he has faced Wayne Cryts twice and Russ Carnahan once. "I think I have eliminated them now," he said.

One of his strongest credentials, Bullock said, is his more than 40 years of business experience. He said he recently closed his piano business in the old Marquette Hotel in downtown Cape Girardeau, enabling him to devote full time to the campaign.

His hotel is across the street from the Federal Building, where Emerson's office is situated.

Bullock said he is "a lifelong farmer" and he still maintains his family farm in Dunklin County. If elected, Bullock said he would try to get a seat on the House Agriculture Committee.

He is a World War II veteran and has been a member of the American Legion since 1943.

Education would be a top priority for Bullock, he said, pointing out that his wife has taught school in Cape Girardeau, Holcomb, and Union, and all four of his children have college degrees.

One of the best ways to improve the area economy, Bullock said, is to attract industry here; something he plans to accomplish by writing letters and making phone calls to as many companies as possible.

"I believe I can bring some industry to Southeast Missouri," said the candidate. "We have much to offer with the Mississippi River and our highway system, and we have the workforce."

From his conversations with mayors of towns around the district, Bullock said he has concluded that "we are losing over 90 percent of our graduating seniors from our communities."

"We've got a workforce to attract any industry to come here. If elected, I'll be very, very dedicated to bringing industry here."

He said the surge of foreign goods into the country is "appalling" and he supports increasing tariffs and duties on incoming products.

Bullock said he is also concerned about efforts in Congress to balance the budget by reducing benefits to veterans or by cutting Social Security. He said he is opposed to both efforts.

Bullock said he would support giving the president line-item-veto authority.

Another pressing issue is health care, said Bullock. He said, "People want national health care and are willing to pay for it." But Implementing national health care will be difficult because of strong insurance company opposition, he said.

Bullock, who ran for Congress in 1968, 1984, 1986, 1988, and 1990, said he is confident his campaign experience will help him. A longtime member of the Toastmaster's, Bullock said his oratorical skills will help him as well as his ability to entertain people on the piano and organ.

"I'm really familiar with the area," he said.

Part of his campaign regiment is going to senior citizen centers in communities for lunch. "I don't have to campaign or ask people for their vote; I just play the piano for them," said Bullock.

"I think now, having run a few times in the past is starting to pay off," said the candidate. "I think I have gained the respect of voters; a quitter never wins and a winner never quits."