Newcomers attempt to lay claim to House district

~Education spending, health-care options sit atop their agendas.

Voters in the 160th District of the Missouri House of Representatives will face a tough choice Nov. 7. The two political newcomers competing for the seat, Republican Ellen Brandom and Democrat Larry Tetley, place strong emphasis on conservative social values.

Both are pro-life, both are in favor of gun rights and both tout their traditional family values. The two Sikeston candidates' platforms are similar, too -- bring good paying jobs to the area, provide affordable health care for the needy and provide adequate education funding for rural schools.

In the end, the outcome of the election may depend on the man who's being term-limited out of the seat in January -- Peter Myers.

Myers was elected to represent the 160th district, covering western Scott County and a small portion of southern Cape Girardeau County, in 1998 -- the same year Lanie Black won election in the 161st district.

Now Brandom is running largely on Myers' reputation, naming him "honorary chairman" of her campaign. She also has a 4-to-1 fund-raising advantage over her opponent.

"He has been very supportive of me throughout this entire campaign," Brandom said. "Peter is a great mentor, a great friend, and I certainly would like the opportunity to carry on his same conservative values."

Brandom, a former business owner with degrees in political science, has made education one of her top priorities. She's familiar with education on all levels -- she's spent 12 years on the Sikeston school board and is a current board member of the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation.

Her views on the subject have won Brandom the endorsement of the Missouri State Teachers Association. She said a strong education system goes hand-in-hand with a strong economy -- another one of her primary campaign platforms.

"Having been a school board member for 12 years, I understand how the decisions made in Jefferson City affect our school districts, and I also plan to get our fair share of the money, too," Brandom said. "Successful economic development is dependent on education."

Tetley -- a member of the Missouri Farm Bureau and NRA -- also promises that he will fight for fair funding for area public schools if elected. Tetley declined an interview request by the Southeast Missourian, but furnished the newspaper with a statement on his qualifications and goals if elected. Like his opponent, Tetley supports "bringing back good paying jobs to the area" -- saying he will support legislation to prevent outsourcing of jobs in the state and to crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants.

And while Brandom and Tetley both say they want to provide health-care access to all Missourians, they differ on how to achieve the goal. Tetley rails against the Medicaid cuts and the new funding formula "passed by Republicans that breaks our promise to Missouri children because it forces schools to wait seven years to receive adequate funding for education."

Myers was a member of the party in power when that new funding formula was passed, even though Tetley's statement doesn't name the current representative outright.

Brandom admits Medicaid cuts may have gone too far and sees reform as a work in process. She also supports the idea proposed by House Speaker Rod Jetton to make those who receive state-funded health care make a copayment.

On education, Brandom said adequate funding for rural districts is a big issue, but so is retaining qualified teachers. If elected, she said she'll support giving teachers more authority over discipline in the classroom by supplying them with liability protection against lawsuits.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

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Ellen Brandom

Age: 64

Hometown: Sikeston

Occupation: Retired business owner

Education: BS and masters in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia

Personal: Two adult children, daughter Mary Ellen and son Mark

Political experience: 12 years on Sikeston School board, one term as president

Larry Tetley:

Age: declined

Hometown: Sikeston

Occupation: Retired business owner and salesman

Education: Sikeston High School, some college

Personal: Wife Carolyn, daughter Laura

Political experience: Sikeston Special Road District commissioner, Sikeston Housing Commission member, Sikeston Traffic Board member, Sikeston Charter Commission member