College teacher to challenge Jo Ann Emerson in 8th District

An Iraq war veteran and college teacher will attempt to win the Eighth Congressional District for Democrats in 2010. Tommy Sowers of Rolla, Mo., an 11-year veteran of the U.S. Army, announced he would seek the seat held by U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, a Cape Girardeau Republican. In a news release announcing his bid, Sowers said the economic recession could and should have been avoided and that the economic downturn means hard-working people are falling behind.

"It's time we change the direction of our district and make results happen," Sowers said in the news release. "It starts with a change of leadership."

During his time in the Army, Sowers served as a peacekeeper in Kosovo, attended graduate studies at the London School of Economics, served two tours of duty in Iraq and was an assistant professor of American politics at the U.S. Military Academy.

Emerson will be seeking her eighth term in 2010. A conservative challenger, Bob Parker, from Texas County, announced in July that he's exploring a run. Parker, a former Republican county committeeman, hasn't announced whether he will run as a Republican or use a third party platform.