ELECTION DAY IS EARLY FOR MANY LEGISLATORS

JEFFERSON CITY - For members of the Missouri General Assembly Tuesday was a busy day, with sessions scheduled in both houses and a full slate of committee hearings and meetings.

But many members found it hard to keep their full attention on legislative duties. Tuesday was the last day candidates could file for offices on the 1992 ballot in Missouri, and members of the House and Senate and their secretaries were alert for reports on new filings.

Rumors about potential filings for many offices ran rampant around the capitol Tuesday.

Many lawmakers returned Monday aware of rumors of possible challenges to their seats. And although the legislators uphold the right of anyone to seek elective office, most didn't relish the thought of opposition given the anti-incumbent sentiment sweeping the nation.

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, some legislators breathed sighs of relief at the news they would not have to face an opponent seven months from now and could celebrate what was, in effect, an early election night victory. Others were making calls to their district in an attempt to determine the viability of the opponents they drew.

A party dubbed "Cheers and Tears" was held Tuesday evening to mark the end of the filing period.

Among those celebrating an early election night were Cape Girardeau County's two state representatives Mary Kasten and David Schwab.

Kasten, who represents most of the city of Cape Girardeau in the 158th district, won't be opposed for a sixth term. Schwab, who represents the rest of Cape County and a small part of Bollinger County in the 157th district, also is unopposed for a third term.

For others, like Reps. Dennis Ziegenhorn of Sikeston and Ollie Amick of Benton, the end of filing Tuesday signalled the beginning of their race for the 160th district seat in the House.

Ziegenhorn, seeking his seventh term, and Amick, seeking his third term, are among 10 pairs of incumbent House members that wound up in the same district this year as part of the redistricting process that occurs every decade.

And for those who are planning to retire this year, like Sen. John Dennis, D-Benton, the end of filing means there is no opportunity to renege on their decisions.

Dennis announced in July that he would not seek a fifth term in the Senate. Once he made the decision, Dennis said he never considered changing his mind.

Since the session began in January, many supporters and colleagues good naturedly urged Dennis to reverse his decision and stay one more term. The pressure intensified Tuesday. Many people stopped by his office and offered to pay his filing fee.

But the senator's mind was made up.

"There is a time and place for everyone and I've had my time and place," declared Dennis, who will end four decades of public service at the end of the year. "It's been fun. I'm going to miss it - but not enough to file again."

Three Democrats and one Republican have filed for Dennis' 27th district seat. Democratic candidates are Sikeston Mayor Bill Burch, former State Rep. Betty Hearnes of Charleston, and Cape Girardeau City Councilman Hugh White. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau is the lone Republican candidate.

Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, who drew his first opponent for re-election in the 25th district last Friday, gained one more Tuesday afternoon.

Mike Black, an attorney in Malden who once served as city attorney in Poplar Bluff, joined Louie Snider, a Poplar Bluff businessman, in challenging Howard in the Democratic primary. No Republican filed for the seat.

Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Poplar Bluff, drew a challenge on the final day for his 156th district seat from Gaylord Harvey of Fairdealing, who works for a Doniphan radio station. Driskill, who had toyed with running for Congress this year, will seek a sixth term in the House.

Freshmen GOP Reps. Mark Richardson of Poplar Bluff and Jim Graham of Fredericktown heard rumors they were going to draw Democratic challengers. But at 5 p.m. both were celebrating early victories.

Rep. Opal Parks, D-Caruthersville, also was rumored to have an opponent on the way to the capitol to challenge her bid for a fourth term representing the 162nd district. But she too escaped without opposition for the first time in her career.

Rep. Marilyn Williams, D-Dudley, seeking a second term from the 159th district, will be challenged by Republican Terry Ernst of Oran, who filed Monday.

In the 155th district, Rep. Herb Fallert, D-Ste. Genevieve, drew a challenge for a sixth term from Republican James D. Williams of St. Marys.

Rep. Gene Copeland, D-New Madrid, and Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, also escaped without opponents. Copeland represents the 161st district and has served 32 years in the House - longer than any other member presently serving. Thomason, from the 163rd district, is seeking a third term.