Physician, educator vie for 106th District seat

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The next state representative from the 106th District will be a doctor. Voters get to decide whether he is a physician or a Ph.D.

The contenders for the seat in the Nov. 2 elections are Dr. Steven Tilley, a Perryville optometrist, and Dr. David Cramp, a former Farmington School District superintendent. The legislative district covers parts of Perry, Ste. Genevieve and St. Francois counties.

Cramp, a Democrat, worked as a public school teacher and administrator for nearly three decades, the bulk of which he spent at Farmington. He retired from the district a year ago.

Tilley, a Republican, is in medical practice with his father. The Tilley Eye Center has offices in Perryville, Marble Hill and Anna, Ill.

Cramp, 54, said his extensive experience in public education would serve constituents well when the legislature takes on the complex and politically delicate task of revising the state's system for funding local schools. He said the distribution of funds needs to be equalized to shift more resources to poorer rural schools.

"There is no reason why some schools should build swimming pools while others don't have computers in the classroom," Cramp said. "That's just not right."

Review of state spending

Rather than resorting to tax increases to bolster education, Cramp said the state should eliminate non-essential services elsewhere in government and redirect the savings.

Tilley, 33, similarly proposes a total review of state spending to free up more money for public schools, especially those in rural areas.

A key component of his legislative agenda would be overhauling Missouri's civil litigation system, which has been a priority issue for Republicans in recent years.

He said such legislation should target so-called venue shopping, the practice of filing cases in jurisdictions where juries have plaintiff friendly reputations. He also supports limiting the financial liability of defendants to their share of fault.

"There needs to be a recourse for victims, but you've got to weigh that in the totality of the situation," Tilley said.

Both candidates support gun-ownership rights and oppose abortion rights.

Because the population of the 106th District is centered in St. Francois County, Cramp said being a county resident gives him an advantage. However, the district leans Republican and Tilley is endorsed by outgoing incumbent state Rep. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, who is running for the Senate.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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