PARTIES SQUABBLE OVER ELECTION

Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson, a Democrat, blasted the Missouri Republican Party for accusing fellow Democrat and Secretary of State Bekki Cook of stealing the 8th District congressional election by not reopening the filing period for the seat.

Wilson said he resented the actions of GOP leaders. He said it was disrespectful of them to "play that kind of game" before Bill Emerson was even buried.

The 8th District Republican congressman was buried at Hillsboro following his funeral in Cape Girardeau Thursday. Emerson, 58, died Saturday of lung cancer.

Wilson voiced his view while standing outside the First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau after attending the Emerson funeral there.

John C. "Woody" Cozad, Missouri Republican Party chairman, also attended the funeral. He defended the GOP's actions as he stood outside the church after the funeral.

Cozad said Cook decided not to reopen the filing period within hours after Emerson's death.

With the August primary only six weeks away, Cook has said it is too late under state election laws to reopen the filing period.

But Cozad said the statutes are ambiguous and badly written. The state GOP has suggested it may challenge Cook's decision in court.

Cozad said there are other options, including write-in campaigns or petitions to get an independent candidate or candidates on the ballot.

Earlier this week Cozad accused Cook of trying to steal the election.

"It appears as though Bekki Cook is interpreting the law in such a way as to protect her good friend, Emily Firebaugh," said Cozad.

"By shutting out other potential candidates, both Democrat and Republican, Mrs. Cook knows her good friend has a better chance of winning," Cozad said.

Firebaugh, a Farmington businesswoman and former newspaper publisher, is one of three candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the August primary.

Cook attended Emerson's funeral. Afterward, she declined to respond to the GOP criticism.