DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATES GEARING UP FOR PUSH COME JULY

Three candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the Missouri Senate in the Aug. 4 primary said Wednesday they are pleased with the way their campaigns are going and optimistic they are on track for victory.

"I'm doing what everybody does in a campaign: I'm out every day in different spots, meeting people and asking for their vote," said former state Rep. Betty Hearnes of Charleston.

Bill Burch, owner of Burch Food Services in Sikeston, said: "I've been out working in every county of the district. I've been talking with Democratic party leaders, civic leaders, and school officials about this race."

The third candidate, Hugh White of Cape Girardeau, who is in warehousing and transportation supervision for Wetterau Foods, said: "So far, mainly what I've done is made all the events I could. I'm going places where people are interested in the election. I have not had a lot of visible indicators out, but expect to accelerate that considerably the first of July."

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau, who is unopposed in his party's primary.

The 27th District senator, John Dennis of Benton, is retiring after 16 years. The newly-drawn 27th District includes the counties of Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry, Madison, Scott and Mississippi.

All three Democratic candidates agreed that things have been pretty quiet so far in their primary battle. They also anticipate the campaign heating up and drawing more visibility around the first of July.

"Unless you happen to be a part of someone's campaign, it would be easy not to know one is going on," said White.

There have been a few joint appearances by the candidates, but overall the three have been going their separate ways. "In a primary, you're not going to go to the same places unless you go to a Democratic meeting," said Hearnes.

Hearnes said she has held some fund-raising events around the district and is finding good support among voters for her candidacy.

Burch said the fund-raising events he has held have gone well and he is optimistic that people will respond to his message. "People are interested in this race once you start talking to them," said Burch. "There is not a lot of issue talk at this point; most people are interested in the presidential race."

All three Democratic candidates have run for office before; however, Hearnes is the only one who has run a partisan race. The wife of former Gov. Warren Hearnes, Hearnes served five terms in the Missouri House, was chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, and in 1988 was the party's nominee against Republican Gov. John Ashcroft.

Burch served three terms on the Sikeston City Council, including six years as mayor. White served a four-year term on the Cape Girardeau City Council. Both gave up their council seats to run for the Senate.

Hearnes contends that having run for office before gives her an advantage with name recognition.

"I don't have to tell people who I am. I've got name recognition," said Hearnes. "But I have to convince them to vote for me, and I'm getting a good response.

"If I go through a crowd and say `Hi, I'm Betty Hearnes,' I don't have to go back through the crowd and say who that is. I tell them what I am running for. My time is not spent explaining my name. I can talk about issues and why they should vote for me."

Burch said he senses a great frustration on the part of voters. "As I talk to people about what they conceive as problems, I am optimistic about my chances. People are frustrated and I think they want someone who is willing to listen to them and respond to their problems," said Burch.

White contended that he is taking a less traditional approach in this campaign and expects to have less campaign money than Hearnes and Burch.

"I'm more interested in trying to make my views known and I'm really not taking a traditional approach at all," said White. "I do not desire to be elected to office on the traditional approach; I want to be elected on my message and people responding positively to my message."

All three Democrats are comfortable with their message and also satisfied that they offer voters a distinct difference from the other candidates.

White is billing himself as a citizen-legislator; Hearnes is promoting herself as the only candidate with legislative experience; and Burch is stressing his background in business that can be applied to state government.

Said White: "We're asking for the opportunity to serve as a citizen legislator who is in touch with the district, not a politician or professional. I am offering an alternative to the voters." White's campaign slogan is: "The Next Best Thing to Being There Yourself."

"People have a choice this time. This is an opportunity not to try the same thing over and over again. This is an opportunity to try something different and see if we can get government to be a little more responsive," said White.

"I think what people want is honest, open representation, and they want you to apply the same principles and judgments you would use in personal life to decisions you would make in government. I am prepared to do that, and do it well."

Hearnes believes having legislative experience will be important for the next senator from this district.

"People in this area know that it is essential they have someone to represent them who knows how to do that," said Hearnes. "Most of the people know me and what I have done.

"I think people understand you have to have experience. I have been there and know the process."

Hearnes stressed that during her five terms in the House from Scott and Mississippi counties she worked hard for education at all levels, is a teacher by profession, and worked hard to get additional funding for things like the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority.

"I have the experience to do these things," said Hearnes. "I have the on-the-ground experience."

Burch believes his overall background is his greatest asset, having served as a businessman, farmer, and mayor for the city of Sikeston. From his experience, Burch stressed he knows firsthand the problems of such things as rising costs of health care and workers' compensation.

"I want to bring a businessman's approach to government," said Burch. "I feel like what the voters are looking for is a businessman that shares their problems."