Mann, Horman vie for judgeship in Aug. 8 primary

Judge David Mann is a little out of practice when it comes to running for a contested office. He hasn't done so in 26 years.

But this year a challenger -- Scott Horman, a lawyer who lives in Chaffee and practices law in Scott City -- stepped forward to try to break the long run.

Horman, 31, has been in practice since 2000, and believes he has a strong chance to win as an underdog in the race.

Despite Mann's noticeable lack of opposition over the years, the judge is still ready for battle. Signs have sprung up all over Scott County with the Mann name on them, including a billboard on Interstate 55 near Scott City. They all tout Mann as "the only Mann with experience."

In the campaign, Mann cites his experience over Horman, who has never sat on the bench, as a key reason voters should re-elect him as an associate circuit judge for Scott County's division 5. The associate circuit judge presides over civil cases, misdemeanor cases and the preliminary stages of felony criminal cases.

"I'm a judge and he's not. There's more to being a judge than just sitting behind a bench and wearing a black robe," Mann said. "You have to learn to listen."

Despite his lack of experience on the bench, Horman says he has what it takes to be a judge. He also says he wants to make the county's court system more responsive to county residents.

To achieve that end, Horman said he'd try to enroll the county in a court consolidation program through the Office of State Courts Administrators. The consolidation would provide extra training for clerks to help them handle their duties more efficiently and be able to work with different types of cases. Horman said he'd also like to pursue a tax intercept program that would allow the court to acquire tax refunds from people who owe money to the court.

Mann, who lives in Sikeston, said the consolidation plan is something he's had an interest in implementing, as well.

Horman and his supporters say it's time for a change in the office, and they say the existence of campaign tools like the billboard prove that Mann takes this challenge seriously. In response Horman has his own signs up across the county. His campaign has about $2,600 in its coffers after spending nearly $8,000 since April. Mann's finance documents were not yet available Friday afternoon.

"Things have been going very well," said Horman. "We've gotten a very good response from our grassroots campaign of getting out and knocking on doors. People are delighted that after 26 years they finally have a choice. They see someone willing to accept the challenge and step forward."

Horman supporter Georgia Ferrell of Sikeston agrees that change is needed. The 71-year-old retiree takes to the streets multiple times each week wearing a Horman T-shirt to persuade voters. She and her husband had contributed $500 to the campaign by July 6.

"The people have not had a choice since 1980 and I think it's time for a change," said Ferrell.

Both candidates and their supporters have been out for weeks trying to blanket the county. Both say they try to personally meet as many voters face-to-face as they can.

Mann said despite his period of dominance he still takes campaigning seriously. And it gives him a way to reconnect with voters, he said.

And if he wins this challenge?

"I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing," Mann said.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182