Democrats join races for area Senate seats

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Democratic candidates filed Friday for two open area Senate seats currently held by Republicans.

Donnie Owens of Fredericktown is running in the 27th District, which covers six Southeast Missouri counties. Owens was a candidate for an area House seat in 2000 but dropped out before the Democratic primary.

House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, is the only other declared candidate in the 27th District. The incumbent, Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, is term limited.

Patt Sharp of Kennett launched her candidacy in the 25th District, which represents seven counties, primarily in the Bootheel.

Sharp had been a member of the Missouri State Board of Education until resigning Friday.

Republican state Rep. Rob Mayer of Dexter, and Libertarian Curtis Steward of Campbell are also seeking the post. Mayer is endorsed by outgoing incumbent state Sen. Bill Foster, R-Poplar Bluff. Foster chose not to seek re-election.

In other candidate filings last week, three area incumbent state representatives picked up opponents.

Democrat Jim Spooler of Chaffee filed against state Rep. Peter Myers, R-Sikeston, in the 160th District, which covers parts of Scott and Cape Girardeau counties.

In the 163rd District, Democrat Jeff McCormick, a lawyer practicing in Kennett, will challenge a fellow Holcomb resident, Republican state Rep. Otto Bean. The 163rd District includes parts of Dunklin, Butler and Stoddard counties.

Shirley Johnson of Steele is running on the Republican ticket in the 162nd District, which represents Pemiscot County and parts of Dunklin and New Madrid counties.

State Rep. Terry Swinger, D-Caruthersville, won the special election last year to fill the vacant seat and is seeking a full two-year term.

In the 106th District, David Cramp of Farmington became the first Democrat to declare for the House seat representing parts of Perry, Ste. Genevieve and St. Francois counties.

Two Republicans -- Steven Tilley of Perryville and Gary Romine of Farmington -- had already filed in that district. Incumbent state Rep. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, is running for the 3rd District Senate seat.

The filing period runs through March 30.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608