JO ANN EMERSON CONSIDERS CANDIDACY

Jo Ann Emerson may run for Congress in the 8th District to carry on the legacy of her late husband, U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson.

In a prepared statement, the 46-year-old widow said Tuesday she will spend the next few days conferring with her four daughters on whether she should enter the race.

"At this time I can say that I am seriously considering entering the race in order to build upon the common sense, conservative legacy set forth by my husband," she said.

"I am flattered that so many folks across Southern Missouri continue to ask me to think about succeeding Bill in representing the 8th District in Congress."

A number of Republicans have urged her to finish the remainder of Emerson's term and run as an independent candidate for a new two-year term in the November election. Those backers include some who have looked at entering the race themselves if she doesn't.

Even before Emerson was buried Thursday, Republican Party people had privately mentioned his widow as a possible candidate.

Secretary of State Bekki Cook has ruled that it is too late under state law to reopen the filing period. That leaves an independent candidacy as the best option, many Republicans say.

Missouri Farm Bureau officials also have publicly pushed the idea of an independent candidacy. A candidate needs 3,700 signatures of registered voters in the district to get his or her name on the November election ballot. Petitions must be submitted to the secretary of state's office by July 29 to get on the November ballot.

State Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said Tuesday he won't enter the race. Kinder said he will continue to seek re-election to the state senate seat he holds.

Kinder said many people had urged him to run for Congress and even offered to back him financially.

But Kinder, who managed Bill Emerson's first two campaigns in 1980 and 1982, said he decided against running as an independent candidate or mounting a write-in effort.

Kinder publicly urged Jo Ann Emerson to run Tuesday. Kinder said she would be the strongest candidate to succeed her husband.

"I am publicly endorsing her and encouraging her to enter the race," he told reporters at a press conference.

Kinder said Jo Ann Emerson could garner support from not only Republicans but Democrats and Independents, appealing to the same broad-based coalition that kept her husband in office for 16 years.

Kinder said he urged her to run in a handwritten note that he sent her late last week.

Kinder said there is precedent in other states where widows have run for their husbands' congressional seats.

He said Jo Ann Emerson could retain the 8th District congressional staff and count on the experience of her late husband's solid campaign organization.

Jo Ann Emerson would have name recognition that couldn't be matched, Kinder said.

"She's eminently qualified. She is a great campaigner," said Kinder, noting that she had regularly campaigned by her husband's side in previous elections.

Jo Ann Emerson grew up in Bethesda, Md. Her late father was the executive director and special assistant to the chairman of the Republican National Committee for many years.

Kinder was one of four Republicans who met with Missouri Republican Party officials John "Woody" Cozad and Jack Oliver in Cape Girardeau Friday, the day after Bill Emerson's funeral.

Cozad is chairman of the state GOP and Oliver is heading up the state organization's campaign efforts.

Besides Kinder, then potential candidates at the meeting included Lloyd Smith, Bill Emerson's chief of staff; Jackson lawyer John Lichtenegger and Rolla lawyer and former state representative David Steelman.

Charles Kruse of Dexter, president of the politically potent Missouri Farm Bureau, participated by telephone. Kruse also has been mentioned as a possible candidate.

Lichtenegger said he, Steelman and Smith all expressed strong interest in running for Congress. But he said everyone was in agreement that none of them would enter the race if Jo Ann Emerson decides to run.

"I personally think she is going to run," said Lichtenegger.

"She has a fabulous personality and she is very intelligent," he said.

Lichtenegger said Jo Ann Emerson is a good campaigner and knows the issues.

If she doesn't run, Lichtenegger said he and other potential candidates would have to decide which one of them should enter the race.

Republicans can only win in November if they unite behind a single, independent candidate, he said.

Smith said he has talked to Jo Ann Emerson and conveyed the feelings of those who want her to run. He said he expects her to make a decision within a week at most.

Steelman said if Jo Ann Emerson runs and is elected, she may be more than just a one-term candidate.

Steelman said Republicans shouldn't look to elect her for a caretaker role just so other GOP candidates can mount campaigns for Congress in ensuing elections.