HOLDEN STRESSES LEADERSHIP IN STATE TREASURER BID

After coming close to defeating the incumbent four years ago, Bob Holden is launching a second campaign for state treasurer, emphasizing leadership skills and vision he hopes to bring to the office.

"In this election year, there's just too much at stake to sit on the sidelines and hope for the best," said Holden, who ended a two-day, nine city kickoff tour in Cape Girardeau Wednesday.

"Our treasurer can, and should be, much more than Missouri's bookkeeper. Our challenges are too great, our tasks too many, to accept such a narrow vision of that job," said Holden. "This office is about investing our tax dollars, watching how we spend it, and creating jobs for Missourians."

Holden said he is concerned that many citizens are losing confidence in government and elected leaders. He hopes to help change that. Holden said he also senses a feeling from people that the state and nation are moving in the wrong direction.

"It's time we had more leaders in Missouri who recognized the problems that surround us and did something about it," added Holden. "This office is about leadership ... about the vision to lead us into the next century."

In his comments Wednesday, Holden unveiled a "Missouri First" plan that he intends to follow as state treasurer. It is based on three goals: to improve education; promote job growth; and restore public confidence in public officials and public service.

State Treasurer Wendell Bailey, who defeated Holden in 1988, is prohibited by the state constitution from seeking a third term as treasurer.

Holden ran for treasurer after having served six years in the Missouri House, representing a district in Springfield. During his tenure in the House, Holden served as chairman of the appropriations committee for general administration and as vice chairman of the education appropriations committee.

Among the legislative initiatives Holden sponsored or co-sponsored were the Missouri Excellence in Education Act, campaign finance reform, reorganization of the Department of Economic Development, and creation of a Budget Stabilization Fund.

After leaving the House, Holden worked in St. Louis as the administrative assistant to House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt. In that role he served as the congressman's liaison at public events and worked on several special projects.

From 1975 until 1981, Holden worked as an assistant to former state Treasurer Jim Spainhower.

The 42-year old Holden said Wednesday that his background offers "a foundation of experience and common sense that people of Missouri can associate with."

As treasurer, Holden said he would take a new approach to the office.

In the years ahead, sound, innovative management of state funds will be even more important because government will have to do more with fewer resources, said Holden.

If elected, he promised to be aggressive in pointing out examples of wasteful expenditures of tax dollars.

He also pledged to take steps to involve public input in the treasurer's office so there can be a strong partnership between people and government. "We are one state, one people; we need one direction," said the candidate.

"After years of fiscal mismanagement and misguided policies, the people of Missouri have lost faith in their state government. While working families struggle to pay their bills and struggle to pay their taxes, Missouri politicians play politics as usual.

"We need leaders with new ideas, based on old principles."

Two other Democrats have filed for treasurer: Jerry Welch of Maryland Heights and Cole County Auditor Jim LePage. The Republican candidate is Christian County Treasurer Gary Melton of Ozark.