CARNAHAN COMING TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

HOWARDVILLE -- Governor Mel Carnahan will kick off today's tour of several Southeast Missouri communities in New Madrid County, visiting the Howardville Multipurpose Center at 9 a.m.

Carnahan has been in the area several times this campaign, promoting other candidates and announcing new state programs.

Jim Eftink, chairman of the Scott County Democratic Committee, said today's visit shows the governor isn't taking this election for granted.

"I don't think he is going to let up," he said. "The bigger percentage he wins by, the better it will look."

Eftink said the governor's visit may help other candidates, including Emily Firebaugh, who is running for the 8th Congressional District seat.

Firebaugh has appeared with Carnahan before but won't do so today, a campaign spokesman said. She will be busy with a candidates forum at 1 p.m. at Grace Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, where Independent candidate Jo Ann Emerson and others also are expected to speak.

The fourth and final 8th District debate will be at 7 p.m. today at the Farmington Civic Center.

After his visit to Howardville, the governor will speak to the Bootheel Heart Health Coalition at the Scott County Health Department, 919 E. Malone in Sikeston. The meeting, scheduled to last from 10:15-11 a.m., will include an overview of the Bootheel Heart Health Project which will be presented by Cynthia Dean, regional director.

Coalition updates will be given by members representing Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott and Stoddard counties.

The governor will have lunch at 11:30 a.m. with students at Central Elementary School in Dexter. He also will visit the Department of Economic Development Regional Office in Dexter. Carnahan will end the day at Poplar Bluff schools, where he will begin a bus tour at 2:15 p.m. at Hentz School.