FILINGS FOR COUNTY OFFICES ARE FEW AS DEADLINE ADVANCES

JACKSON -- There has not been a single candidate file for office in Cape Girardeau County since Jan. 16, and the March 31 deadline is now less than four weeks away.

Typically, there is a rush of filings around the first day for filing, which this year was Jan. 14. The long gap since then is unusual.

All of the officeholders up for election this year have filed for re-election except John Ferguson, a Republican serving his first term as public administrator. Ferguson is expected to file again, however.

Lonnie Moore of Millersville did file for associate commissioner on Jan. 22, but withdrew on Feb. 5 because he would be prohibited from continuing his business as a bail bondsman while serving on the commission.

Both Cape County incumbents - Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau and David Schwab of Jackson - have filed for new terms in the Missouri House. Neither has opposition yet. Kasten is serving her fifth term and Schwab his second. Both are Republicans.

Sen. John Dennis, D-Benton, announced in July he would not seek a fifth term, but so far there has not been a flurry of candidates to replace him. Two Democrats have filed - Sikeston Mayor Bill Burch and former Rep. Betty Hearnes of Charleston - and at least two others are considering the race.

On the Republican side, Rep. Kasten came close to announcing her candidacy but backed off and decided to keep her present job.

The only Republican who has indicated plans to file is Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau, associate publisher of the Southeast Missourian. Kinder is expected to formally announce his candidacy around the middle of the month.

The 27th District includes the counties of Cape Girardeau, Scott, Mississippi, Bollinger, Madison, and Perry.

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, a Republican, has filed for a seventh term, and so far has only token opposition. He is challenged in the primary by Earl Durnell, a farmer from Cabool. The lone Democrat is Thad Bullock, a retired Cape Girardeau businessman who is a perennial candidate for Congress. This is Bullock's sixth try at his party's nomination.

Cape County officeholders who have filed for re-election include: Assessor Jerry Reynolds, a Democrat first elected in 1976; 1st District Associate Commissioner Leonard Sander, a Republican first elected in 1976; 2nd District Associate Commissioner E.C. Younghouse, a Republican who took office in 1987; Republican Coroner John Carpenter, seeking his second term; Treasurer Bill Reynolds, a Republican first elected in 1980; and Republican Sheriff Norman Copeland, seeking his third term.

The only challengers so far are for coroner and 1st District commissioner.

Carpenter is challenged in the primary by Roger Moore, and his Democratic foe is Harold Cobb. Carpenter defeated Cobb in 1988. Sanders' opponent is Democrat George Cox of Delta.

Candidates for the county Democratic and Republican central committees must also file by March 31. They will be elected in the August primary.

Candidates for county offices may file at the office of County Clerk Rodney Miller in the County Administration Building at Jackson.