FARM BUREAU ENDORSES RAY ROWLAND

DEXTER -- The Missouri Farm Bureau has endorsed third-party candidate Ray Rowland of Dexter over incumbent Jerry Howard.

Rowland is running on the U.S. Taxpayer's Party. No Republican is on the ballot.

Howard, a Dexter Democrat, has served as senator of the state's 25th District since 1990.

Both Rowland and Howard spoke to a Farm Bureau political action committee in Dexter Tuesday night prior to the committee's decision.

"I view this campaign as one between a conservative and a liberal," Rowland told the committee.

"The people of the 25th District -- Democrats, Republicans and independents alike -- are all tired of the decline of the quality of life in America, brought on by 30 years of failed liberal, social experimentation," said Rowland.