MINISTER FILES FOR 25TH SENATE SEAT

A Baptist minister will challenge state Sen. Jerry Howard for the 25th District Senate seat.

The minister, Ray Rowland, 46, of Dexter, will run on the U.S. Taxpayer's Party ballot in the November election.

Independent candidates and new parties such as the Taxpayer's Party must have filed with the secretary of state's office by Monday to be on the November ballot.

Howard, a Democrat, had been unopposed for re-election until Rowland elected to enter the race. No Republican is on the ballot. A former state representative, Howard was first elected to the state Senate in 1990.

Rowland is making his first run for public office.

If elected, Rowland said his first priority would be to roll back personal and property taxes. "Our working families, retirees and small businesses simply must have tax relief if they're going to survive."

Rowland said criminals should be given stiff sentences to deter others from a life of crime.

He also wants to reform public education. "We want our schools to be a place where teachers can teach what our children need to know."

Rowland, who describes himself as a conservative, said he wants to restore local control to Missouri's schools.

"I think I am going to bring to this race a conservative viewpoint that truly represents the conservative Democrats, the independents and the Republicans," he said.

Rowland said he decided to enter the race after the Republican Party didn't field a candidate.

A number of third-party candidates are expected to be on Missouri's election ballot in various races.

"I don't think the American people are fed up with the two-party system. I think they are frustrated with perhaps the quality of some of the candidates that have come forth," he said.

Rowland announced his candidacy at press conferences in Poplar Bluff, Dexter and Kennett.

For the past seven years, Rowland has farmed and operated a land grading business. He also is pastor of Pleasant View General Baptist Church at Risco.

The Dexter native is an active member of the Missouri Farm Bureau.

He previously managed a $6 million company in Southeast Missouri with 58 employees before going into business for himself.

He and his wife, Elizabeth, have four children.