MISSOURI RIGHT TO LIFE ENDORSES BULLOCK

Southeast Missouri's perennial congressional candidate, Thad Bullock, has won the endorsement of the Missouri Right To Life political action committee.

In a June 10 letter from Pam Manning of St. Louis, chairman of the PAC, Bullock was advised of the endorsement. "This endorsement represents our choice of you as the only candidate in your primary who will be an effective voice for the protection of innocent human life," Manning wrote. "We take great care in choosing candidates to support in elections."

Bullock is one of four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination and the right to challenge veteran Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson in November.

In 1992 Bullock, a retired Cape Girardeau businessman and owner of the Marquette Hotel building, pulled off a stunning primary night upset when he captured the Democratic nomination. He emerged from a six candidate field with a margin of 204 votes. In numerous other runs for Congress -- 1968, 1984, 1986, 1988, and 1990 -- he never came close to winning.

Bullock was trounced by Emerson in the general election two years ago. But when filing opened in January, he was the first to file for another try.

Manning said Friday that Missouri Right To Life endorsed Bullock because his views are "in line with what we like to see feelings of candidates to be."

She explained that survey cards are sent to all candidates for federal and state elections, and after reviewing the replies, they endorse candidates that have pro-life views. In addition, Manning said the group interviews people in the district about potential endorsements.

Another factor in who they endorse, Manning said, is a candidate's "viability and fitness to hold office."

Manning made it clear that come November, even if Bullock captures the Democratic nomination, her group will be backing Emerson. Missouri Right to Life has endorsed the Cape Girardeau Republican in the August primary and has backed him in every election since he first ran in 1980.

"It is the policy of this organization that during the general election, Bill Emerson will be our candidate," said Manning. "He has a strong pro-life philosophy and has been a good supporter.

"We realize that some people will be voting in the other primary, and when we feel like there is an acceptable candidate, we like to give people a choice of how to vote if they want to vote in the other primary."

Manning said surveys mailed to all candidates dealt with issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and health care rationing.

In the letter to Bullock, he is advised that the PAC will advise its membership and pro-life voters in the district of the endorsement, and also offers to make a labels from the group's computer list available for use.

Besides Bullock, also running in the Democratic primary are: Gene Curtis of Matthews; Don Hager of Farmington; and Jay Thompson of Bourbon.

Greg Tlapek of Cape Girardeau, is running on the Libertarian ticket.

Emerson is not opposed in the GOP primary.