KASTEN WILL STAY IN HOUSE; PASSES UP NOTION OF SENATE RACE

Bringing to an end a process she termed as "very excruciating," state Rep. Mary Kasten said Saturday she has decided not to seek the Republican nomination for the Missouri Senate and will instead seek a sixth term in the House.

"The indecision of whether to run or not to run is probably one of the hardest decisions I have made," said Kasten.

"I certainly appreciate all the encouragement from friends who urged me to be a candidate (for the Senate). It has been a very excruciating process for me.

"I finally concluded after this pain-wrenching decision that I have a lot of seniority on my committees in the House, that I am on the committees I want to be on, and my position with the Republican caucus and on several commissions, that I should stay put. They all offer me challenges."

Another consideration in her decision, Kasten said, is fitting the time required to run a Senate campaign into her current respon~sibilities.

"As part of my decision I tried to determine the stewardship of my time and finally decided I could best use my time by continuing to work for the district I love so much," she noted.

"I also have to consider my family's interests and each of them have some goals I feel like I need to be more of a part of."

Kasten noted that one of the most enjoyable parts of being a state representative is helping constituents cut through bureaucratic red tape to solve problems. "Helping people is very time consuming, but quite pleasant," said Kasten. "I would have more time to devote to that if I continue as a representative."

Three years ago, Kasten founded the Community Caring Council in Cape Girardeau, which is an effort to improve coordination and cooperation between agencies that deal with problems of youth and families.

That program has grown and now serves as a model for the entire state. Last fall, Kasten outlined the Caring Council for a subcommittee of Congress. By staying in the House, Kasten hopes to have more time to devote to the council.

"It really is the right direction for our state," she said. "I organized it because I felt like it really met a need of coordinating community resources that included private agencies, churches, and individuals. I really want to give that some more of my time.

"We have got to work harder on dysfunctional families to prevent pain in the pocketbook and the personal pain that we are feeling in society today."

Kasten, who was first elected in 1982 after serving 20 years on the Cape Girardeau board of education, currently serves on the committees for commerce; children, youth and families; appropriations for health and mental health; and higher education. Last year, she claimed a seat on the powerful budget committee.

In addition, she serves as a member of the Children Services Commission, made up of senators and representatives; and several other state and national task forces that focus on issues related to children and families. She is also secretary of the House Republican Caucus.

Sen. John Dennis, who has represented the 27th District for 16 years, announced in July that he would not seek re-election this year. Kasten said she would never have challenged Dennis, but once he decided to retire, she began to focus on a possible Senate race.

Going from the House to the Senate is a natural stepping stone in the Missouri General Assembly.

The only other Republicans who have expressed a public interest in running for the Senate are Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep and Peter Kinder, associate publisher of the Southeast Missourian.

Josh Bill, a Sikeston insurance agent, studied a possible race but ruled it out and filed for the city council in that community.

The only Democrat who has filed is Sikeston Mayor Bill Burch. Other Democrats still considering the race are former state Rep. Betty Hearnes, of Charleston, Cape Girardeau City Councilman Hugh White, and Cape Girardeau County Clerk Rodney Miller.

Early last month, Kasten had scheduled her formal announcement for the Senate. Around New Year's Day, Kasten began contacting supporters to advise them she was going to announce on Jan. 7. But several days before, Kasten decided she needed more time before declaring.

"I had set up to file and announce, but then I got to feeling like I had not quite done my homework," explained Kasten.

With this decision behind her, Kasten said she looks forward to representing her district, which after the November election, will include all of the city of Cape Girardeau except Ward 17. It will be District 158.

"I feel like the total of my years of volunteer work have really kept me in close touch with people in my district of all walks of life and interests," said Kasten. "I know the district well and hope that makes me even more effective in the coming years.

"I hope the district can stay mine because I really do enjoy what I'm doing. I feel I have the maturity and experience and that, I think, makes me an effective person."

Although her decision to stay in the House is final, Kasten admits she may occasionally harbor second thoughts.

"I'll probably always go back and forth in my mind over whether I should have gone one way or the other," she admitted. "It was kind of an even draw decision. You just have to decide where you can do the most good at the right time in your life with all the issues concerned."