LT. GOVERNOR CANDIDATE GRACIA BACKER CAMPAIGNS AGAINST VOTER APATHY

Voter apathy makes it tough to campaign for statewide office in Missouri this year, says Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Gracia Yancey Backer.

As she campaigns around the state, the New Bloomfield, Mo., Democrat and veteran state lawmaker has found Missourians have one thing in common: They couldn't care less about politics.

"The saddest part is people aren't interested right now," said Backer during a visit Friday to the Southeast Missourian newspaper office in Cape Girardeau. Backer visited Cape Girardeau as part of a campaign swing through Southeast Missouri.

Backer said her August primary battle with Joe Maxwell and Catherine Powell has drawn little public attention beyond the Democratic Party faithful.

Backer said most of the media attention has been focused on the U.S. Senate and governor races.

Candidates this election year are spending much of their time raising money, she said. "In the year 2000, we have to sit on the phone and raise money and raise money."

Backer said it's expensive to run a statewide campaign. A 30-second television spot can cost $8,000 for a single airing in the St. Louis market.

Backer said the public generally downplays the role of lieutenant governor. But she said it is an important position.

The lieutenant governor stands in for the governor when the governor is out of state.

The lieutenant governor's office also has a number of official duties, ranging from dealing with aging issues to serving as an ombudsman.

Backer said she takes the role of ombudsman seriously. The lieutenant governor's office can help Missourians access government services.

If elected, Backer said she wants to try to educate the public about state government and its elected leaders.

Few people, she said, know the names of their state legislators. "More people know Mark McGwire than know who their representative or senator is."

If elected, Backer said she would seek to cooperate with whomever is governor. "I have other things to do than fight."