FIREBAUGH EXPRESSES INTEREST IN STATE POST

JEFFERSON CITY -- Like many people here this week, Emily Firebaugh is interested in the future of the secretary of state's office.

But unlike many others, Firebaugh isn't calling for Judi Moriarty's to resignation.

But, if Moriarty quits, Firebaugh wants Gov. Mel Carnahan to name her the replacement.

Firebaugh was in the capital to apply for Moriarty's job.

"I am letting people know that I am ready to step in and be a good representative for the citizens of Missouri in that office," Firebaugh said.

Firebaugh, 53, of Fredericktown and a native of Cape Girardeau, said she purposely avoided making comments about having an interest in the office until after Moriarty's trial last weekend. A Cole County jury found Moriarty guilty of tampering with documents to get her son filed as a candidate for state representative.

Once Moriarty is sentenced in a few weeks, state law provides for her to forfeit the office.

Firebaugh said she doesn't want to enter the debate about whether Moriarty should resign, but realizes if the office does become vacant, the governor will need to move quickly to appoint a qualified successor. Firebaugh believes she fits that description.

"I come without baggage," she said. "But I am very well qualified and a very good Democrat. I am up here putting in my resume so I can be considered for secretary of state."

Firebaugh is meeting with Democratic Party leaders, statewide elected officials, legislators from both parties and staff in the governor's office, and is calling friends around the state, including publishers of newspapers she got to know as owner and publisher of papers in Madison and St. Francois counties.

"I waited until the conviction was read on Ms. Moriarty before I started campaigning to be considered as a candidate for the replacement," Firebaugh said. "I thought to be fair to Missouri voters, I should wait until due process of law handled the situation before I came to the forefront and said the job description for this office fits all of my qualifications."

Firebaugh said her background in journalism, legal publications, commercial printing and managing several businesses gives her the experience for the job.

She and her husband, Robert, have sold their three newspapers and printing company but have various other business interests. She currently is a partner and manager of close to 9,000 acres of timber land, and she and her husband have 13 pieces of commercial property in Madison County and an office building in Farmington. They also have other businesses in Farmington, including a trucking company.

Firebaugh has also taught school at Sikeston and Fredericktown.

The former Emily Brennecke, she was born and raised in Cape Girardeau, and was graduated from Cape Central and Southeast Missouri State.

A brother, Tom Brennecke, and a sister, Jane Womack, still live in Cape Girardeau. She has another sister, Judy Renthrop, who lives in Memphis.

Firebaugh has been active in the Democratic Party for years and served as a delegate to the 1992 national convention. She has considered running for public office before, including Congress in the 8th District but has been waiting for the right opportunity.

She now believes this is the right opportunity.

"The way I see the situation at this time is that because of the damage done to the office, they are going to be very cautions who they choose as a successor, as well they should be," she said. "During that process they will see someone from the publishing field and corporate and business world would be a good replacement.

"And, they may have to step out of the political structure to grasp someone with those qualifications. Hopefully, I will be considered."

Whoever Carnahan appoints would serve until January 1997 and would have to run for another term in 1996. Firebaugh said she has no problems being a statewide candidate. In fact, even if she is not chosen, she may run in 1996.