Many county GOP leaders expect voters to support Emerson

Tuesday's Republican primary in the 8th Congressional District will test how strong the tea party movement is in Southeast Missouri, Republican leaders from across the district said last week.

Interviews with several county party leaders, as well as former congressman and state treasurer Wendell Bailey of Willow Springs, showed that most personally support Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and expect voters to do the same. Texas County party chairman Bob Green said he expects challenger Bob Parker to win. Parker is from Texas County.

The 8th District includes all or part of 28 counties. The largest city is Cape Girardeau.

Howell County had the second-highest number of Republican votes from the district in the 2008 gubernatorial primary. Joan Bailey-Russell, Howell County chairwoman, said Emerson is well-liked and people there appreciate her hands-on approach, including a visit soon after a tornado hit Caulfield, Mo., in 2007.

Parker will make a dent in Emerson's vote totals, Bailey-Russell said, but it may just be an anti-incumbent vote.

"I just don't see that big upheaval," she said.

Her brother, former treasurer Wendell Bailey, agreed. Bailey was elected to Congress in 1980, the same year Bill Emerson won. After the 1980 census, Missouri lost a district and most of Bailey and Emerson's districts were merged. Bailey chose not to run against Emerson in the primary in 1982.

Focus on November

Bailey, who said he is supporting Emerson, said he expects big Republican primary turnouts in Texas, Oregon and Shannon counties due to local contests. But Republicans need to focus on the November elections, not tearing each other apart in primaries, he said.

"That is where the battles are, not here in August," Bailey said.

Green, the Texas County party chairman, said Emerson should expect defeat Tuesday. He said Parker is a hard-core conservative more in tune with the voters than Emerson, noting that he is a past supporter of both Emersons.

"I wore out shoe leather working for both of them in the past but no more," he said. "Jo Ann's voting record has not been acceptable for the last two years."

Cape Girardeau County chairman John Voss said he's not concerned. Emerson's strong constituent service and Cape Girardeau ties mean she will do well among local voters Tuesday, he said.

"I believe Jo Ann will win this race and she will be re-elected," he said.

Tea party help

The tea party movement is strong in several counties, and Parker is counting on those voters. In Phelps County, former chairman Mike Gosnell said he expects Parker to do well but isn't taking sides. "I would definitely not support many of Jo Ann Emerson's recent votes, but I generally take a sideline approach."

Wright County, which had the fourth-largest number of primary votes in 2008, will be solidly behind Emerson, said Charles Dickinson, party chairman. Parker will score some votes, but not enough, Dickinson said. "Most of the people I have talked to still like the job Jo Ann is doing."

In St. Francois County, anti-incumbent voting will help Parker, said Gary Matheny, the county chairman. But he added that Emerson is extremely popular.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

Howell County, MO

Texas County, MO

Cape Girardeau County, MO

St. Francois County, MO

Wright County, MO

Phelps County, MO