NewsJune 4, 2013
Candidates make last-minute push in congressional election
Candidates hoping for a good word tonight once returns come in were making their last efforts Tuesday to reach voters in Missouri's 8th Congressional District. Republican state Rep. Jason Smith, of Salem, Mo., began his day in Cape Girardeau, where he thanked volunteers at his campaign office while they made calls. His Democratic opponent, state Rep. Steve Hodges, cast a ballot in his hometown of East Prairie, Mo., before heading to Sikeston to join his campaign on get-out-the-vote calls...
Candidates hoping for a good word tonight once returns come in were making their last efforts Tuesday to reach voters in Missouri's 8th Congressional District.
Republican state Rep. Jason Smith, of Salem, Mo., began his day in Cape Girardeau, where he thanked volunteers at his campaign office while they made calls. His Democratic opponent, state Rep. Steve Hodges, cast a ballot in his hometown of East Prairie, Mo., before heading to Sikeston to join his campaign on get-out-the-vote calls.
After more than 30 years of Republican representation for the district and an ever-increasing political swing to the right, Smith was expected to emerge as the winner to replace Jo Ann Emerson, who resigned from Congress in January to head the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Emerson held the seat nearly 17 years.
Both Hodges and Smith are running on conservative platforms.
Smith told his volunteers Tuesday that he expects a "sharp turn" in the 30-county district if he is elected to succeed Emerson, who was often labeled a moderate Republican.
"I am more conservative than Jo Ann," he added. "With that said, I respect her immensely."
Smith's staff said if all goes their way tonight, Smith could be sworn into Congress in Washington, D.C. as early as Wednesday.
"I am really ready to get to work," Smith said. "This district has been without representation for long enough."
Hodges was greeted Tuesday at his campaign office in Sikeston by Joe Duffy, executive director of the Missouri Democratic Party, several members of his staff and volunteers. He sat down to make calls to voters before a drive to Cape Girardeau, where he planned to talk with more volunteers.
Hodges lamented the nearing of the end of the campaign activity.
"I'm sorry this is the last day," he said. "I wish we had more campaign time, I really do. Because I've had a lot of people say that once they've met me, they can understand what kind of person I am."
Hodges promised "to take the same philosophy to Washington D.C. that was used in the statehouse," referring to his reputation for voting often with Republicans in the state legislature.
"I would be an independent voter," he said.
Predictions of Smith's victory seemingly weren't affecting Hodges.
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"I feel great," he said. "Every day, as we have been traveling around the district, things just keep getting better and better. I think the momentum is really turning in our favor."
Also seeking the seat are Doug Enyart, of the Constitution Party, Bill Slantz, a Libertarian, and two independent write-in candidates, Thomas Brown and Dr. Robert George.
Voter turnout, at least in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, appeared Tuesday to be slightly higher so far than in the April municipal elections. Just over 10 percent of Cape Girardeau County registered voters cast ballots in that election.
Most county clerks on Friday predicted turnout to fall between 10 and 15 percent.
Election workers at several polling locations called the voter traffic "steady."
In Cape Girardeau, two precincts had more than 100 ballots cast by 10 a.m. Scott City's precinct had 200 just after noon.
Liz Abraham-Oldham, spokeswoman for Secretary of State Jason Kander's office, said by email Friday the office would not release a formal prediction on voter turnout, but provided an estimate of 72,596 voters, which is nearly 15 percent of the registered electorate. The number is based on estimates that are sent to the secretary of state's office from local election authorities.
Just over 300,000 votes were cast in the November 2012 congressional race.
The choice of a new congressional representative stands alone on the ballot today in the special election.
Polls are open until 7 p.m. Look for results updated after polls close at www.semissourian.com.
eragan@semissourian.com
388-3627
Pertinent address:
330 Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO
609 S. Main St., Sikeston, MO
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