More than 100 seats in Missouri legislature to be decided

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- While most voters, observers and campaign efforts are focused on races at the top of the ticket, such as president or governor, Missourians also will determine more than 100 state legislative seats on Election Day.

Republicans control both the House and the Senate at the state Capitol, having won control of the House two years ago and the Senate more than three years ago.

Political observers expect the Senate to remain in Republican hands and say the House is likely to as well, though a return to Democratic leadership is more of a possibility there.

Heading into Tuesday's election, Republicans control 20 of 34 Senate seats and run the House by a 90-73 margin.

In the House, Republicans say they expect a gain or loss of just a couple of seats. Democrats hope a few close races will tilt their way and say the ruling party probably will wind up with 86 or 87 seats.

Candace Young, a political science professor at Truman State University, said she doesn't expect the Senate or House to return to Democratic control. She said the Republican margin in the Senate could even increase, while the House spread may narrow.

Hoping for Bush boost

Political strategists often see open seats as the best opportunity for gains. Both parties are focusing on maybe a couple dozen races that could tip the balance of power or increase the GOP's dominance in the statehouse.

Republican leaders are hoping that Missouri voters will turn out for President Bush and simultaneously give a boost to Republican candidates all down the ballot.

"The president's a big helper," said House Speaker Pro Tem Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill. "When people come out to vote for the president, if they're coming out to vote for your candidate, then that does give you some advantage."

House Minority Floor Leader Rick Johnson said Democrats were working harder this year at getting supporters to the polls. He expressed hope that Democrats could regain control of the House, noting that many Republican legislators narrowly won last time.

Nine seats -- the number Democrats must pick up to regain leadership of that chamber -- were won by Republicans in 2002 by less than 2,200 votes combined.

"At this point, it's a lot of hard ground activity," said Johnson, D-High Ridge. "We've been focused on our get out the vote effort. It's where we fell down in 2002 and allowed Republicans to take control of the House."

Just half of the Senate seats are on this year's ballot, while all House districts are.

Among notable races for the Senate: Rep. Phil Willoughby, a Democrat, faces former Rep. Luann Ridgeway, a Republican, in a Kansas City-area seat long held by term-limited Sen. Ed Quick, D-Liberty; and in Boone and Randolph counties, Democratic Rep. Chuck Graham faces Republican neurosurgeon Mike Ditmore to take over the seat left by Senate Minority Leader Ken Jacob, D-Columbia.

Among key House races: Republican Kathy Chinn, of Clarence, and Democrat Tom Shively, of Shelbyville, square off for a northern Missouri seat left by Republican Rep. Chris Shoemaker; and the contest also is expected to be close between Republican Barney Fisher, of Richards, and Democrat Larry Berry, of Hume, for a western Missouri seat vacated by Republican Jerry King.

A few House incumbents also are in tight races, including Republican Reps. Therese Sander and Jason Brown, who face former Democratic lawmakers they defeated two years ago.

Young, the political scientist, said a change of even a few seats in the House could affect what work is done, and how lawmakers relate to the new governor.

"Any time the numbers are closer, it does mean you've probably got to work a little harder to get people from the other side to support your cause," she said.

In the end, she said, "my expectation is it will be a small change at the margins."