Frazier won't run in special election

Educator Pete Frazier won't seek the open Missouri House seat from Cape Girardeau.

The Central High School assistant principal, who sought the seat in the 2004 Republican primary, announced his decision late Sunday evening in an e-mail to the Southeast Missourian.

Frazier, who is also treasurer of the Cape Girardeau County Republican Central Committee, said in an interview that his commitments to his job, as well as the timing of the Feb. 5 special election, prevent him from running.

"For me it was the obligation, the commitment I had already made to the school and my job" that spurred the decision, Frazier said in an interview. "The timing played a factor into it as much as everything."

Frazier narrowly lost the 2004 primary to Nathan Cooper, who resigned the seat Aug. 14 after pleading guilty to two federal felony counts of immigration fraud. Cooper was in his second term. The immigration fraud charges stem from Cooper's work as an attorney, when he set up dummy companies and illegally purchased visa approvals to provide trucking companies with foreign drivers.

The announcement by Frazier removes the only Republican who was publicly considering the race from contention. The GOP will nominate a candidate on Sept. 20 at a meeting of the 158th Legislative District Republican Committee.

Mike Keefe, the former postmaster for Cape Girardeau, is the Democratic nominee and George Webster will run for the Libertarian Party.

"I would like to thank all those who have encouraged me to run for the 158th House seat and offered their support.," Frazier wrote in his announcement. "Due to my obligation to my current position, I regret that I will not be available to run in this special election.

"Though the timing does not work for my family and I this go around; I still feel a strong commitment to support and stay actively involved in public service. I will continue to do all that I can to give back to my home community of Cape Girardeau."

Despite the difference between his salary as an educator and the pay of a legislator -- a difference of over $20,000 a year -- Frazier said he had seriously considered the race. He pursued ideas for supplementing his income he said, and "could have made that transition pretty smooth."

Frazier did not rule out a bid for public office in the future.

For updates, check back at www.semissourian.com or read Tuesday's Southeast Missourian.