CHALLENGE FILED BY DEMOCRAT; MEYER TAKES ON MCBRIDE FOR SEAT

In an attempt to bring a change of leadership to the Democratic Party in Cape Girardeau County, Thomas M. Meyer is challenging the chairman for his seat on the party central committee.

If Meyer is successful in his effort to defeat Todd McBride as Ward 8 Democratic committeeman, McBride would not be eligible to continue as chairman of the county committee or the 8th Congressional District Democratic Committee.

"I feel that a change is needed," said Meyer, who admitted he was fully aware when he filed against McBride that McBride could not be chairman if he lost his committee seat.

Said Meyer: "So far no one has challenged him. Here I am in a position to make good on that challenge. Many people have expressed the need for change and this is a chance where I can make that change happen."

McBride, who has been a committeeman since 1978 and chairman of the county Democratic Committee for six years, said he was "shocked" to learn that Meyer had filed against him.

"I think Tom is thinking only of himself and not the best interest of the party," said McBride. McBride said he has always tried to work with Meyer and considers him his friend. In particular, McBride said, he was actively behind Meyer in 1982 and 1986 when he ran for state representative. He said the two also had a business relationship through real estate.

"If he had an interest in running against me, he should have had the decency to come and tell me he was going to run instead of filing and not saying anything about it," said McBride.

Each voting precinct in the county has a committeeman and committeewoman from each political party, elected in the August primary by voters within the precinct to serve on the county central committees.

In some counties and metropolitan areas, there are sometimes hotly contested races for committee positions as a way of gaining control of the party. However, committee races in Cape County are rare.

The Meyer-McBride race is the only Democratic committee race in the county this year. There is one race among Republicans.

McBride said he has "opened the door for Tom to be involved in the party," but, "Quite frankly, we haven't seen much of him lately."

McBride said he thinks Meyer filed for the post because he blames him for merging Meyer's old ward into Ward 8 in 1990.

Prior to the 1990 election, County Clerk Rodney Miller decided to consolidate Ward 3, which voted at the Common Pleas Annex, with Ward 8, which votes at City Hall, because of the size of the two wards.

At the time, Meyer was serving as Democratic committeeman in Ward 3 and McBride in Ward 8.

"I had nothing to do with that," said McBride. "It was done through the county clerk's office, and the move was done because Ward 3 was much smaller than Ward 8. It was done to save taxpayers of this county money, to not have to pay for poll workers in a ward that was so small.

"No one was upset about it, basically, except Tom. He blamed me and Rodney Miller, thinking we had conspired against him. This was not a political move at all; it was a move from the county clerk's office as a good, sound business move to save some tax money."

Meyer said he was upset with the way the merger occurred and he was never consulted until after the decision had been made.

"I read about the merger in the paper," said Meyer. "I would have appreciated being officially notified, but never was."

Meyer said he misses serving on the Democratic Central Committee and wants to serve again. He said that during his tenure he was active on the party executive committee and chaired several party events, including successful fund raisers.

"I have enjoyed Democratic politics and want to get back in county and state committee work," said Meyer. "I also feel like our part of town, our ward, needs to be given attention. I still have a number of state and local politicians call me, but this is the role I would like to be involved in, as a ward committeeman."

Meyer said it is "just by coincidence" that his becoming committeeman would end McBride's reign as party chairman. "I want to be back as a committeeman, and if this is what it takes, that is what it will take."

Meyer said he has lived in Ward 8 for a long time and has been active in that part of town with the Washington School PTA, working for development of Washington Park, improving the downtown area and other projects.

McBride said that in 1990 "Tom indicated he would not run against me and tear up the party. But now he has taken a different stance in a year where it is critical to be unified."

McBride said other Democratic committee members were also upset that Meyer had filed against him and he doubts Meyer consulted with anyone before filing.

But Meyer said he has found some support for a change in party leadership and has "been given quiet encouragement."

McBride said he has tried to provide solid leadership during a tough period for Democrats. "I feel like I have tried to do the best job possible the last several years in Cape County, during what have been tough years for the Democratic Party. For him to basically blame me for the lack of interest shocks me very much," said McBride.

"The biggest problem of the Democratic Party is that we have had a Republican president, governor, and congressman, and it is hard to get a lot of interest in the party when you have those offices held by the Republicans."

McBride said he had not decided whether to seek re-election as county chairman, but definitely had hoped to continue as 8th District Democratic chairman, a post he won in 1990. He also serves as chairman of the 27th Senatorial District Committee and served four years on the State Democratic Committee.

By having the 8th District chairmanship in a central location, McBride said he believes strides have been made toward unifying the Democratic Party in Southeast Missouri and working toward common goals.

Meyer did not rule out running for county or district chairman if he wins the committee seat, but wants to leave his options open.

"I feel there are a lot of other qualified committee people out there," said Meyer. "But I would not rule it out.

"I would like to see new leadership and want to be part of that leadership. Todd has put in his time and I think it is time for him to move on."