POLITICS: TWO VIE IN 160TH DISTRICT RACE

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Voters in the 160th legislative district likely will find their candidates for state representative share many of the same philosophical and political ideas.

The difference lies primarily in the candidates' political experience and in their view of conceal and carry laws.

Rep. Peter Myers, a Republican seeking a second term in the legislature, supports increased salaries for teachers, using tobacco settlement money for health care and equal opportunities for women.

His opponent, Fran Robison, a Democrat and former teacher, believes in providing more funding for educational needs, including teacher salaries, using tobacco settlement money for prescription drugs for seniors and equal opportunities for women.

Neither Myers, 69, nor Robison, 61, support charter schools or school vouchers in Southeast Missouri and both are support local control of schools. The both have public education backgrounds.

Robison, is opposed to conceal and carry, or Proposition B. She said she worries about children's impressions of firearms and their access to them.

"I'm opposed to conceal and carry. I support hunting guns, but those guns are unloaded when they leave the field and are stored in a closet," she said. "I feel handguns and assault weapons can only kill people."

Myers, who is endorsed by the National Rifle Association, supports a person's right to carry firearms because it is part of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

He said he does not want to see criminals have access to guns, but he does not believe in taking guns away from everyone.

"You can't legislate moral values," he said.

In addition, Myers supports unions in the private sector, not the public sector, and has worked during his time in the legislature on a bill regulating telemarketers.

Myers said he makes his policy decisions based on what his constituents tell him.

"I am a person who is not dictated to by my party leaders," Myers said. "I try to make decisions based on listening. My decisions are first based on people in this district, then on people in the whole state.

Both candidates said they believe it is crucial to maintain contact with their constituents after the election.

Myers said he believes he makes it convenient for people to get in touch with him.

"I feel it is very important to have a local office," Myers said. "That is why we staff the Sikeston office five days a week."

Robison said that, if elected, she will make it a point get out and talk to the people she serves.

"I feel that it will be easy to stay in contact because my district is a local district," she said. "I can knock on doors and they're your neighbors and many people know me. I don't think it will be hard."

Peter Myers

Age: 69

Hometown: Sikeston

Political affiliation: Republican

Family: Wife Mary, five children and 10 grandchildren

Profession: State representative, president of Myers Land Management Co., vice president of Adopt A Farm Family of America, former farmer

Education: 1953 graduate of University of Wisconsin at Madison

Affiliations: National Arbor Day Foundation, Trinity Gospel Church in Sikeston, Sikeston Area YMCA, Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, New Madrid County Farm Bureau, little league basketball commissioner, 4H leader, Sikeston Jaycees, Sikeston Rotary Club, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Pork Producers Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, U.S. Army Ordnance Corps, 1st lieutenant (1953 to 1955).

Political history: One term in the Missouri legislature, elected in 1998. Served on the following committees: agribusiness; appropriations for natural and economic resources; consumer protection and housing; children, youth and families; and fiscal review.

Endorsements: National Federation of Independent Businesses, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Right to Life, National Rifle Association, Associated Industries of Missouri

Fran Robison

Age: 61

Hometown: Sikeston

Political affiliation: Democrat

Family: Husband Jim, children Colleen Huffman of Glen View, Ill., Ann Yarnell, of St. Louis County, Tom Robison of Sikeston and Bill Robison of Philadelphia

Profession: Teacher

Education: 1961 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University

Affiliations: Parent Teacher Organization, Girl Scouts of America, First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, P.E.O, and Alumni Association and Copper Dome Society of Southeast Missouri State University.

Political history: none.