Possible replacements considering whether to run

Read Nathan Cooper's resignation letter

While state law directs Gov. Matt Blunt to call a special election "without delay" following the resignation of Nathan Cooper on Tuesday, the political reality is that Cape Girardeau voters won't know for some time when they will cast ballots.

But possible candidates aren't waiting for the governor to make up his mind on a date. Mike Keefe, who retired this year after 21 years as Cape Gir-ardeau postmaster, said he's considering running as a Democrat. And Pete Frazier, defeated by Cooper in the 2004 GOP primary, said he's thinking about the race as well.

Victor Gunn, Cooper's campaign treasurer since February 2005, said he'd like the GOP nomination in an interview with the Southeast Missourian the day Cooper pleaded guilty to two federal felony counts for immigration fraud.

Cooper entered the plea Thursday. His resignation Tuesday leaves three open seats in the Missouri House. One has been vacant since June 30, and no election date has been set for any of the openings.

Blunt's spokesman, Rich Chrismer, wouldn't give any specifics on when Blunt would set the election date. "We are at the beginning of that process to ensure representation of that district in a special election," he said.

After sending his resignation letter to Blunt, Cooper issued a statement: "It has been a privilege and honor to represent the people of Cape Girardeau in the General Assembly," he said. "I offer my deepest apologies to all that have been affected as to how actions in my private legal career have led to my resignation from the Missouri House of Representatives."

Court documents filed in another immigration fraud case show Cooper has been under federal scrutiny since November 2005 for his efforts as an attorney to aid immigrant truck drivers obtain fraudulent visas.

The politics of replacing Cooper began to take shape after he sent Blunt his resignation.

Keefe said Tuesday that his retirement leaves him with the time needed to take on a campaign and the duties of being a legislator.

In a telephone interview, Keefe said he's weighing the race but hasn't made any firm decision. Keefe ran the Cape Girardeau post office from 1986 until his retirement earlier this year. He described himself as a fiscal conservative and social liberal, which he said makes him more comfortable in the Democratic Party.

"All the time I worked for the post office, I felt I shouldn't declare myself as a Republican or Democrat," Keefe said.

Keefe grew up in Iowa, moving to Missouri after achieving the post of director of customer service for Iowa in the early 1980s. After he became postmaster in Cape Girardeau in 1986, he said, "I fell in love with Cape Girardeau and the area. Now the kids are gone, and it is just me and my wife."

If he runs and wins, Keefe would be the first Democrat elected to the Missouri House from Cape Girardeau since 1980. Keefe said experience with the post office would be an asset in the legislature. "I have managed a lot of people over time, and a lot of it you have to learn to work with unions and work with a lot of individuals," he said. "That is the same way when you have to work with politicians, and understand there is give and take in every situation."

The pros and cons of a race, Keefe said, would have to be weighed carefully before he could make a decision. "I won't do anything haphazard. I would want to win, and I would want to represent the community the way it should be represented. I have to decide if I want to spend the time and effort."

In an interview shortly after Cooper's resignation took effect, Frazier said he must balance the needs of his young family and his job with the desire to run for the legislature again.

"I have had interest in the past, obviously," said Frazier, who is treasurer of the Cape Girardeau County Republican Central Committee. "And there is still a little passion. I don't want to default on my obligations currently, so I am still trying to weigh my options."

Frazier described himself as "right there in the middle between yes and no."

Gunn did not return calls left at his home or work telephone numbers Tuesday.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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