KASTEN EMPHASIZES SHE ISN'T ENDORSING

Retiring state Rep. Mary Kasten has tried to stay out of the campaign to select her replacement. However, the longtime legislator found herself drawn into the Republican primary, reluctantly agreeing to appear in television commercials for two candidates but being featured in print ad for one of them without her permission.

Kasten wants it made clear: She isn't endorsing anyone in the 158th District race.

"What concerns me is I don't want to appear to endorse any one of them in any way," Kasten said. "It seems like that backfired all around."

Three fellow Republicans -- attorney Jason Crowell, City Councilman Jay Purcell and businessman Stan Wicks -- hope to claim their party's nomination to become Cape Girardeau's next state representative in today's primary election. The winner faces City Councilman Tom Neumeyer, a Democrat, in November.

Crowell and Purcell have often attempted to identify themselves with Kasten, an 18-year veteran of the Legislature, even though Kasten had vowed not to get involved.

"I've been shocked at how much pressure there has been to endorse," Kasten said.

Kasten said she reluctantly agreed to a non-speaking appearance in a Purcell campaign commercial but not as an endorsement. She said her participation simply showed that she knows Purcell and has worked with him as a state legislator works with a city councilman in her district.

"But then a lot of people said it could be construed as an endorsement," Kasten said.

At the request of Crowell supporters, Kasten agreed to make a similar appearance in one of his commercials in order to even the scales. The Wicks campaign made no such request.

However, a photo of Crowell and Kasten "discussing legislative issues," as the accompanying caption stated, that appeared in a campaign ad in Saturday's Southeast Missourian was not part of the bargain, Kasten said.

The ad listed comments from a number of local officials and others who have endorsed Crowell. The ad doesn't include a direct endorsement from Kasten, but the photo featuring her is a prominent element.

Kasten said the Crowell campaign included the photo "by mistake" and without her permission. She said seeing it prompted her to immediately call Crowell's campaign Saturday, telling them to pull the ad because "that was not part of the deal."

Crowell's campaign substituted a version of the ad absent of any reference to Kasten for Sunday's and Monday's newspapers.

Crowell was out campaigning Monday and could not be reached for comment.

Kasten said the photo made it appear that she had gone back on her word about staying neutral in the GOP race.

"I didn't want to be involved in endorsing any of the three candidates in this campaign," Kasten said. "I want people to make up their own minds.

"I've always told the truth and tried to be really honest. This made me look like I'd changed my mind and endorsed one (candidate) or the other."

Kasten said she "will work very diligently with whoever is elected" to ensure a smooth transition in the 158th District.

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