HOWARD LEADS ROWLAND IN BID FOR 25TH DISTRICT SENATE RETURN

DEXTER -- Democratic incumbent Jerry Howard was leading his third-party opponent Ray Rowland in the race for the 25th District Senate seat Tuesday night.

Howard of Dexter is seeking re-election. A former state representative, Howard was first elected to the state Senate in 1990.

His opponent was making his first run for public office. Rowland of Dexter was running on the U.S. Taxpayer's Party ballot in the November election. No Republican was on the ballot, and Rowland said he decided to enter the race after the Republican Party didn't field a candidate.

As of 10 p.m., Howard had won or was leading in all six counties in the 25th District.

He had won in Butler, Dunklin and Pemiscot counties.

Howard was leading in Wayne County with 10 of 19 precincts reporting. He was also leading in Stoddard County with six of 23 precincts reporting, and in New Madrid County with 16 of 23 precincts reporting.

Howard predicted that voters would respond to his message of commonsense government.

"I'm not going to tell people some pie-in-the-sky rhetoric," he said. "I'm realistic about today's society and what people really want."

Key issues for Howard include support of agriculture, small business and public education.

Howard has been endorsed by labor industries and honored by chambers of commerce. He calls this support combination unique for a politician.

"I've been able to balance the issues in the general assembly using common sense," he said. "Both of these special-interest organizations have a common goal -- good government."

Rowland, a Baptist minister, had hoped to unseat Howard with his message of less taxation, less government and challenges to the state's public education system.