Politically tangled curator appointment wins tentative approval

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri Bootheel nurse whose political allegiances came under scrutiny has moved one step closer to confirmation as a new University of Missouri curator.

On Wednesday, the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee unanimously approved the nomination of Judith Haggard to formally join the curators. The Kennett native was appointed to a Democratic slot on the Board of Curators by Republican Gov. Matt Blunt in late December.

Haggard is married to David Haggard, a prominent GOP activist in southeast Missouri. Her husband's track record had led several Democratic lawmakers to question Haggard's party affiliation.

But Haggard, 61, assured lawmakers she remains true to her Democratic roots.

"I was raised a Democrat, and I happened to marry a Republican," she said Wednesday. "We fight a lot at the dinner table."

State law requires the bipartisan, nine-member University of Missouri Board of Curators to include no more than five members from one political party. Should Haggard and nominee Bo Fraser, of Columbia, win the full Senate's approval, the board would have four Democrats and five Republicans.

The Senate is expected to consider those two nominations Thursday, the same day curators meet in St. Louis to begin the process of selecting a new University of Missouri system leader. System President Elson Floyd will depart in May to become president of Washington State University.

In response to questions from state Sen. Maida Coleman, D-St. Louis, Haggard acknowledged hosting "several" fundraisers at her home for Republican candidates.

"When my husband is involved in those things, I do work with him, whether I vote for that person or not," Haggard said.

Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, had previously questioned Haggard's party affiliation. But after Wednesday's session, Graham said he was satisfied with her explanations.

"I think Judith will serve well on the Board of Curators. I don't know how important partisanship is," Graham said.

As a result of the flap over Haggard's nomination, state lawmakers will now consult with the governor's office to review potential appointments to state offices before nominations are submitted, Graham said.

He pointed out that Missouri, unlike some states, doesn't require residents to list a party affiliation when registering to vote.

"We really don't have anything but prior activity and people's word that they are what they say they are," Graham said. "Unless they've run for office, it's difficult to pin them down."

"It's not Ms. Haggard's fault that she got wrapped up in this controversy," he said.

Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, told Haggard her qualifications trump any questions about political loyalties.

"What's more important (is) you are universally believed to be an outstanding selection," he said. Gibbons chairs the Senate appointments committee.

Haggard is the second recent Blunt nominee as University of Missouri curator whose appointment was delayed as part of a bigger political battle.

Lawmakers approved the nomination of Kansas City businessman Warren Erdman last week only after a 17-hour filibuster by state Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Lee's Summit. Bartle opposed Erdman's support for embryonic stem cell research.