Cape Girardeau businessman Wayne Wallingford to run for state House of Representatives

Cape Girardeau businessman and retired U.S. Air Force officer Wayne Wallingford said Monday he will make his second bid for state representative.

Incumbent state Rep. Clint Tracy announced Friday that he intends to challenge for the Republican nomination for Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner. Tracy defeated Wallingford and Jeff Glenn, a one-time aide to former U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, in a three-way GOP primary in the 158th Missouri House District in 2008.

Wallingford, 63, is director of human resources, or "chief people officer," for McDonald's of Southeast Missouri, which is owned by his son-in-law, Shannon Davis.

"A lot of people had approached me to ask if I was considering other positions," Wallingford said Monday. "My heart was on the state representative position, and I feel have the strong background and leadership skills to serve the community at that level. That is why I decided not to run for school board or mayor or even commissioner."

Glenn, 40, is now an executive at Delta Companies Inc. He said Monday he has not decided whether he will again try for the legislative post.

"That is something that will require a little thought, but I am not driving to Jefferson City tomorrow," Glenn said. "I am thinking about that and thinking about other options."

Filing opens at 8 a.m. today for state and county offices. Every Missouri House seat, half the state Senate, state Auditor and a U.S. Senate seat will be on the November ballot. County offices on the ballot this year include presiding commissioner, circuit clerk, recorder of deeds, county clerk, prosecuting attorney, auditor and collector. Associate circuit judge seats are also on the ballot. The last day to file is March 30.

The 158th District includes most of the territory within the city limits of Cape Girardeau. It will be one of two local open legislative seats in the area. The other is the 157th District, which includes Jackson, northern Cape Girardeau County and much of Perry County outside Perryville. Incumbent state Rep. Scott Lipke, a Republican, is being forced out by term limits. Lipke intends to seek the job currently held by Associate Circuit Judge Peter Statler, who would be forced to retire mid-term if he sought re-election.

Longtime Republican activist Donna Lichtenegger and Jackson School Board member Gerald Adams have both announced plans to seek Lipke's seat. According to campaign finance reports filed in mid-January, neither Lichtenegger nor Adams have raised significant funds, with Adams reporting $142 on hand and Lichtenegger reporting $310 available.

In other area legislative contests:

* Former U.S. Rep. Bill Burlison is again seeking to unseat incumbent state Rep. Billy Pat Wright in the 159th District. Wright, a Dexter Republican who is seeking his fourth term, defeated Burlison, a Democrat, in 2008 by winning 61.8 percent of the vote. The 159th District includes most of Stoddard and parts of southwest Cape Girardeau counties.

* Incumbent state Rep. Steve Hodges of East Prairie reported $11,944 on hand at the end of 2009 as he seeks to defend his 161st District seat. Hodges, a Democrat, is seeking his third term and Ron McCormick, a former Scott County commissioner, has been raising money to challenge for the seat from the Republican Party. McCormick reported $3,890 on hand on Jan. 1.

Three area incumbents, House Majority Leader Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, Rep. Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, and Rep. Shelley Keeney, R-Marble Hill, have been actively raising money for re-election. No candidates have filed paperwork to raise money to oppose them.

Tilley represents the 106th District, which includes Perryville as well as parts of Ste. Genevieve and St. Francois counties. Keeney represents the 156th District, which includes Bollinger, Madison and most of Wayne counties. Brandom represents the 160th District, which includes most of Scott and parts of New Madrid and Mississippi counties.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Jackson, Mo.

Perryville, Mo.

East Prairie, Mo.

Marble Hill, Mo.

Dexter, Mo.

Jefferson City, Mo.