Kasten endorses Wayne Wallingford

Southeast Missourian

Wayne Wallingford won a boost for his campaign for the 158th District Missouri House seat with the endorsement of incumbent state Rep. Mary Kasten. The Republican legislator, elected in a special election in February, chose Wallingford over Jeff Glenn, a one-time staff member of former U.S. senator Jim Talent, and Clint Tracy, a Navy veteran of the Iraq war. The winner of the Aug. 5 primary is currently unopposed for the November election.

Wallingford is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, a former district training official for Taco Bell and human resources manager for McDonald's of Southeast Missouri. He was a leading contender for the GOP nomination for the February special election until forced to withdraw due to voter registration issues.

"Wayne Wallingford's 25 years of service in the military, career in business and devotion to community service make him the best choice to represent Cape Girardeau in the General Assembly," Kasten said in a prepared statement. "Wayne is a tireless advocate for the ideals and values of Cape Girardeau."