KASTEN WON'T SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2000; LAWMAKER'S DECISION EXPECTED TO ATTRACT INTEREST FROM BOTH SIDES

State Rep. Mary Kasten says she will retire when her term ends next year.

"I won't change my mind," she said Thursday. "My thought was we need to give somebody else a chance."

Kasten, a 70-year-old Republican from Cape Girardeau, was first elected to the House in 1982. She represents the 158th District, which encompasses Cape Girardeau.

Her decision to step down is expected to spark interest among Republican and Democratic candidates.

Local radio talk-show host Cindie Jeter said Thursday she is considering running for the seat as a Republican. "This has always been a dream of mine to be a public servant and to be involved in politics in some way," she said.

Jeter, who hosts a show on KZIM Radio in Cape Girardeau, is a member of the Cape Girardeau County Republican Women's Club. Jeter, known for conservative views, said she won't continue hosting the talk show if she runs.

Mentioned as possible Democratic candidates are Jim Grebing, Secretary of State Bekki Cook's director of communications, and Cape Girardeau City Councilman Tom Neumeyer.

Neumeyer said some Democratic Party officials have encouraged him to run for the seat. But Neumeyer, who is in his second four-year term on the City Council, said he has made no decision.

Grebing, a former political reporter for the Southeast Missourian, said he has long been interested in running for state representative. But Grebing, who still lists Cape Girardeau as his voting address, said he hasn't explored the possibility of running in 2000. Still, he said he wouldn't rule it out.

Kasten legally could run again in 2000 and serve a final two-year term under the new state term limits.

"I just think probably I have been here long enough," she said.

Kasten's husband, City Councilman Melvin Kasten, has been in poor health in recent years. Mary Kasten said that also is a reason why she won't run again.

Kasten has logged plenty of miles driving from Cape Girardeau to Jefferson City. "I know every bump in the road from here to the middle of the state," said Kasten.

She often made the drive alone in her van. In February 1997, her van ran off U.S. 63 north of the Statehouse as she was driving to work. Kasten said she fell asleep at the wheel.

The van tipped over after hitting an embankment. Kasten, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered only scrapes and bruises.

These days she often car pools with Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson.

Before being elected to the House, Kasten served 20 years on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education. She served as president of the Missouri School Boards Association in 1976. She served on the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents from 1979 through 1982.

"I guess I can't even count all the committees and councils and groups I've been on," she said.

Her political and civic work frequently took her to Jefferson City. "I figure I have been on the road for about 35 years," she said.

Kasten's political career in the state House has taken her from a first-floor office to her current second-floor office. "I have this elegant room," she said.

Kasten said she is one of only about seven lawmakers in the House from the freshman class elected in 1982.

When she first won the House seat, she never envisioned a nearly two-decade career as a state legislator. These days, Kasten is a familiar figure at the State Capitol. Fellow lawmakers call her "Mother Mary." Kasten said her colleagues also view her as "the godmother."

Kasten helped found a prayer group at the State Capitol about four years ago. The prayer group meets every Thursday morning when the Legislature is in session. The bipartisan group has grown to about 40 to 50 members, including lawmakers and staff.

"It's wonderful," said Kasten. "This place is full of godly, convicted, committed Christians."