Rep. Lichtenegger: No endorsement of candidate

State Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, R-Jackson, said Monday she has not endorsed Republican candidate Tony LaForest for her state House seat.

“I do not endorse him, and I will not be endorsing anyone in this race,” she said.

She said LaForest had asked her for advice, but she did not encourage him to run for office.

LaForest, of Jackson, announced his candidacy last week.

In a recorded interview with the Southeast Missourian, he said he visited with Lichtenegger previously and told Lichtenegger he intended to run for the House seat, and “she was very happy with it.” A story reported “he has support” from state Rep. Donna Lichtenegger.

LaForest said in the interview he told Lichtenegger he promised he would not run for the District 146 seat “until she termed out.” Lichtenegger is term-limited; her term expires in 2018.

LaForest said Monday that Lichtenegger has not endorsed him or expressed support for his candidacy.

“She said she would not support me or anybody,” he said.