HEARNES TOPS FIELD FOR SENATE

Betty C. Hearnes claimed an overwhelming victory Tuesday in the Democratic primary for 27th District state senator, defeating her closest rival by over 5,000 votes.

Hearnes, who served five terms in the Missouri House and was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1988, claimed over half the votes in five of the six counties of the district.

She carried all six counties and received more votes than her two opponents combined.

"This is a thrill," said Hearnes. "I've got a message and the people listened to me."

Hearnes, of Charleston, watched the returns at the Scott County Courthouse in Benton. "We ran a hard race against two good opponents ... it was a good clean race. I've always stressed hard work. I know the job," said Hearnes.

Bill Burch of Sikeston, who finished a distant second, pledged to support Hearnes in the general election. Burch said he was disappointed by his showing.

"I'm surprised to say the least. I thought we would run better," said Burch. "I have the greatest respect for Betty Hearnes and will be with her in the general election."

The 27th District seat is being vacated by Sen. John Dennis, D-Benton, who is retiring after 16 years in the seat.

Incomplete returns showed Hearnes with 12,785 votes, Burch with 7,357, and Hugh White of Cape Girardeau, with 2,133.

Hearnes attributed her victory in every county to "hard work" and felt the win will give her momentum into the general election.

She will face Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau, a Republican making his first bid for public office. Kinder was unopposed in the GOP primary.

Kinder said he looks forward to the fall campaign and the race will offer voters a clear choice: "Business as usual versus new leadership for change."

Kinder said that Hearnes "scored a very impressive victory" and starts the campaign with a big advantage because he is better known.

"The reason she is the best known," said Kinder, "is because this is her 17th campaign in 42 years since Warren started running in 1950."

Hearnes is the wife of former Missouri Gov. Warren Hearnes.

"We can go back to the politics of big government and gigantic bureaucracies with the tax and spend policies that have badly failed us, or we can embrace the new politics of an energetic effort to shrink government and lighten its burden on all Missourians," said Kinder.

"This is a contest between the new and the old - a fresh start or a rehash of policies we already know do not work. We need new technologies, new ways to create jobs, and new ways to reach world markets, such as our port development I spent the last eight years working to build and operate."

In announcing his candidacy in March, Kinder said he hoped to debate his Democratic opponent in all six counties of the district. Kinder again expressed that hope Tuesday night.

"The people have a right to know where we stand on the issues, to compare and see us in action," said Kinder. "I look forward to a clean fall campaign based on the issues."

Hearnes said she is also hoping for a clean campaign. "As far as I'm concerned it will be a clean campaign. It's up to him," she said.