GOP RACE IN WORKS FOR KASTEN'S SEAT

Cape Girardeau City Councilman Jay Purcell plans to run for state representative of the 158th District, assuring a GOP primary battle with local lawyer Jason Crowell.

Another Cape Girardeau councilman, Tom Neumeyer, is leaning toward running for the seat on the Democratic ticket. But his decision could hinge on whether Democrat Jim Grebing enters the race to succeed retiring state Rep. Mary Kasten.

Grebing is director of communications for Secretary of State Bekki Cook and a former political reporter for the Southeast Missourian.

Kasten, a Republican, has held the seat since first winning election in 1982. Kasten's district encompasses most of Cape Girardeau.

Councilman Richard "Butch" Eggimann had considered running for the seat on the Republican ticket. But he said Friday he won't run. Eggimann said he would campaign for Purcell.

Two other Republicans Cindie Jeter, a radio talk-show host, and Cape Girardeau County Public Administrator John Ferguson considered running. They recently said they wouldn't run for the office this year.

Both Purcell and Crowell said they plan to file with the secretary of state's office on Tuesday, the first day for filing.

Purcell said his wife and three children plan to accompany him to the state capital on Tuesday. "I decided it would be neat for them to see how everything works," he said.

The 32-year-old Purcell was elected to the City Council two years ago to fill an unexpired term. He is seeking election to a full four-year term in Ward 3 this April. He is running unopposed in that election.

Purcell said he would resign from the council if he is elected state representative.

"I can't think of a much bigger honor than to be a state representative," he said.

Purcell describes himself as a conservative. He favors tax cuts and less intrusive government.

"Basically, I believe in returning control to the local areas," he said. "People in their areas know how and what best to do with their monies."

Purcell said state government needs to be accountable to the public. Government, he said, should be run as a business. It can't continue to "raise prices" and deliver less service, he said.

Purcell said he wants to strengthen Missouri schools by reducing the state regulations tied to funding.

With Southeast Missouri State University seeking state funding for the River Campus development, Purcell said it is important that the House district be represented by an effective leader with experience in business and local government.

"I want to make sure there is a legitimate option within the Republican Party," said Purcell.

Purcell works at Dana Corp. in Cape Girardeau. He also owns a coin laundry and 32 apartments.

He served in the Navy in 1985 and 1986. He and his wife, Kelly, have three children: Austin, 6; Miranda, 5, and Dayton, 2.

Purcell said he expects to spend $15,000 to $20,000 on his legislative race.

Crowell, his GOP opponent, announced his candidacy in January. At that time he already had raised over $30,000.

Crowell said Friday that he has continued to raise money. He declined to say how much he has raised.

Crowell raised much of his money before the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Missouri's limits on individual campaign contributions. As a result, businesses and individuals can contribute a maximum of $275 to a state House candidate per election cycle. That means a supporter could contribute a maximum of $550 for the primary and general election combined.

Candidates, however, are still free to use the money raised prior to the campaign cap taking effect., the Missouri Ethics Commission said.

"We obeyed the rules and guidelines and requirements of the Missouri Ethics Commission and will continue to do so," Crowell said.

Crowell, 28, said it takes a lot of money for a candidate to get his message out to the voters.

Crowell said he is the only announced candidate in the race who has worked for all three branches of state government. He has worked for the Missouri Supreme Court, the attorney general's office and the state Senate.

Crowell graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1995. He earned his law degree from the University of Missouri in 1998.

Crowell is a lawyer with the Oliver, Oliver and Waltz firm in Cape Girardeau.

"I consider myself a conservative Republican that carries the Midwestern values that were instilled in me," he said.

Neumeyer said he hopes to make a decision soon about whether to run. He said he has been talking to Grebing. "I want Jim to decide what he wants to do."

Neumeyer said he doesn't want to have a primary battle.

Neumeyer was elected to the City Council in 1994 and re-elected in 1998. His Ward 2 term expires in 2002.

Neumeyer said he would resign his council seat if elected state representative.

Grebing is taking a serious look at running. "I think if I decided to file, I would have a good, broad base of support," he said.

Grebing lives in Jefferson City but continues to maintain his official residence in Cape Girardeau. He is registered to vote in Cape Girardeau County.

Grebing said he has enjoyed working in the secretary of state's office, but it is unlikely he will have a job there when Cook's term ends this year.

"So I am looking at other options. Running for the Missouri House is one of those options that I am looking at," he said.