Businessman Rock Finch hopes to challenge Purcell in November

Insurance broker Rock Finch is seeking signatures from 318 registered voters in order to mount an independent challenge for Republican Jay Purcell's seat on the Cape Girardeau County Commission.

Finch, who for 22 years has operated Finch Marbanks Insurance Consultants, said recent changes in his business give him the time to run. He added that recent turmoil at the commission over items such as Purcell's secret recordings of closed meetings and conversations, as well as the controversial method used to record a road easement, played a part in the decision.

Purcell is seeking his second term as commissioner for District 2, which includes most of the incorporated areas of Cape Girardeau. No candidates filed to challenge Purcell in the Republican primary or as Democrats or Libertarians for the general election in November.

Purcell won his job in 2004, taking a nine-way GOP primary by 29 votes and winning the general election with 62.5 percent of the ballots,

Purcell could not be reached immediately for comment.

"One thing is for sure, I have no personal vendetta against Jay," Finch said. "He's fine as far as I know him. I have no personal self interest or anything nor an ax to grind to run for this office."

Finch said his business recently bought out two St. Louis brokers for the financial company ING and merged with a Springfield, Mo., brokerage. The new company will be called Marathon Benefits Group.

At age 57, Finch said he has the flexibility to devote his time to a new pursuit. "I know I like to do public work. Let's just give Cape Girardeans a choice and let them decide how much acrimony they can put up with or not."

Finch needs to collect 318 signatures by July 28 to make the November ballot. He said he intends to try to gather as many signatures as possible by the deadline in order to demonstrate broad support.

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