McCaskill touts endorsement of Harriett Woods

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Former Lt. Gov. Harriet Woods, who supported Bob Holden in his 2000 gubernatorial campaign, is now backing State Auditor Claire McCaskill in her Democratic primary challenge of Holden.

McCaskill's campaign released a statement Wednesday from Woods pledging to support McCaskill in the Aug. 3 election and praising her as "a force for reform and progress."

"It is not an easy decision to support a challenger to the Democratic incumbent, a longtime political friend who has worked hard under difficult circumstances," Woods' statement said. "But loyalty is not enough. There is too much at stake" because Republicans control the Legislature.

Woods said, "McCaskill represents broader participation in the party and in government generally."

A Democrat, Woods was the first women to be elected to a statewide office in Missouri. She served as lieutenant governor from January 1985 to January 1989.

McCaskill also has the support of former Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson, a Democrat who ascended to governor briefly after the October 2000 death of Gov. Mel Carnahan.

Holden has the support of current Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell, also a Democrat.