Rediger drops out of race for House seat

Retired businessman Harry Rediger withdrew Monday from the contest for the Republican nomination in the Feb. 5 special election for Cape Girardeau's Missouri House seat.

In a letter to Holly Lintner, chairwoman of the party committee that will make the nomination, Rediger endorsed Wayne Wallingford, a former Air Force officer and businessman.

In his letter, Rediger said keeping the seat in Republican hands was important, and he saw in Wallingford many of the qualities needed in a candidate. Rediger said he, too, had those qualities -- maturity, honesty, integrity and experience -- but that he would withdraw in the interest of party unity.

"I feel that it is very important that the committee be completely unified in their support of a candidate as they meet this Thursday evening," Rediger wrote to Lintner.

The 158th District Republican Legislative Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at Dexter Barbecue to choose a candidate.

The Democratic Party nominated former postmaster Mike Keefe and the Libertarian Party is putting up 2006 nominee George Webster in the Feb. 5 special election. The special election was called by Gov. Matt Blunt following the resignation of Nathan Cooper, who pleaded guilty Aug. 9 to two felony counts of immigration fraud.

For updates, check back at www.semissourian.com or read Tuesday's Southeast Missourian.