Dem files for House seat

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- For the first time in 14 years, voters in Jackson, Mo., will have an opportunity to elect a Democrat as their state representative.

Chuck Miller, a political newcomer from rural Cape Girardeau County, on Monday ended the streak of Republicans running unopposed for the city's seat in the General Assembly by filing as the lone Democratic candidate in the 157th District.

In addition to Jackson, the newly redrawn district includes northern Cape Girardeau County and the bulk of Perry County, excluding Perryville. Though the district is heavily dominated by Republican voters, Miller says he is hopeful his commonsense, rural Missouri values will encourage crossovers.

"I don't believe that district favors Democratic candidates, but I believe I can change that," Miller said. "I plan on getting out and meeting just as many people I can everyday until Election Day."

Miller, 54, retired in 1996 after 25 years at Procter & Gamble Co. Since retirement, he has concentrated on his small business, Miller Auction Service, and his farm near Oriole, Mo., which has been in his family since the dawn of Missouri statehood in 1821.

No Democrat has even sought election to a House district that included Jackson since 1988, when Jack M. Litzelfelner lost to Republican David Schwab. After winning his first term that year, Schwab ran six more times without general election opposition. Term limits are forcing him out after this year.

Prior to 1988

Prior to Schwab's first election, Democrats held the seat for at least 26 years during the House tenure of former state Rep. Marvin E. Proffer, who is now a lobbyist for Southeast Missouri State University.

Assuming no other candidates file for the seat by the March 27 deadline, Miller will be in the Nov. 5 general election to face Libertarian Timothy Doubledee of Jackson and the winner of the Republican nomination.

Squaring off in the four-way Aug. 8 GOP primary are three Jackson residents -- school board president Gerald Adams, party activist Donna Lichtenegger and assistant county prosecutor Scott Lipke -- and Tom Sachse of Friedheim, Mo., Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau president.

With such a crowded Republican field, Miller says he will reach out to supporters of the three candidates who fail to claim the GOP nomination.

"It will be a tough battle between the Republicans," Miller said. "What I will go tell voters, if their candidates do not win the primary, is I'd like their support. I know there are a lot of Republican voters in Cape Girardeau and Perry counties."

Miller's top campaign issues will include opposing taxpayer subsidies for a St. Louis Cardinals ballpark, supporting concealed weapons for law abiding citizens, various matters affecting agriculture, the need for improved state funding of local schools and transportation.

"I have seen a lot of growth in Southeast Missouri, but we haven't seen the state money allocated for our highways that matches the rate of growth," Miller said.

A Cape Girardeau County native, Miller is a Jackson High School graduate and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967-71.

Miller and his wife, Janet, celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary today. They attend Wesley United Methodist Church in Fruitland, Mo.

Their son, also named Chuck Miller, is chief of staff to state Treasurer Nancy Farmer, a Democrat. The younger Miller previously worked for Gov. Bob Holden when Holden, also a Democrat, was state treasurer.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608