Democrats pick Chaffee man to run for House seat

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Chaffee businessman Donald Kiefer has been selected as the Democratic candidate for the House seat of state Rep. Peter Myers, a Sikeston Republican.

The Scott County Democratic Committee on Saturday chose Kiefer to replace Gary Riley of Sikeston on the party ticket for the 160th District spot.

Riley had filed for Aug. 6 Democratic primary but withdrew from the race without comment last month.

Since no other Democrat had filed for the seat, state law gave the county party committee four weeks to name another candidate.

Kiefer has until 5 p.m. today to submit campaign paperwork in person at the secretary of state's office.

He could not be reached for comment Monday at his home or business, Kiefer's Service Station.

The newly redrawn 160th District will represent western Scott County and a portion of southern Cape Girardeau County.

Scott County Democratic chairman Frank Marshall said the committee unanimously selected Kiefer over two Sikeston Democrats who had expressed interest in running. Marshall declined to identify those hopefuls.

Marshall said Kiefer has quietly worked on party causes for many years and is well known in northern Scott County and Sikeston.

"The committee felt like Mr. Kiefer would be a strong candidate and had the qualities we were looking for," Marshall said.

Myers, who is seeking a third two-year term, is unopposed in the GOP primary, meaning he and Kiefer will be guaranteed to face off in the Nov. 5 general election.

Myers also couldn't be reached Monday.

He previously said he would campaign just as hard regardless of the opponent.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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