Rep. Wallingford kicks off campaign for state Senate

About 100 people came out Saturday to help Rep. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, kick off his campaign for the Republican nomination for the Missouri Senate's 27th District seat.

Wallingford, who provided attendees with bumper stickers and yard signs at his new campaign office, said he was encouraged by the turnout and feeling good about the race ahead.

"People are starting to see the differences in the candidates. At first look you see the candidates as more equal, but then as you delve deeper, you see there are stark contrasts," Wallingford said.

Rep. Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, will face Wallingford in the Aug. 7 Republican primary.

"I have a 100 percent right-to-life voting record and my opponent does not," Wallingford said. "I have 25 years in the U.S. Air Force, so I'm strong on veterans issues. We had a lot of veterans issues come through this year, and they needed a strong voice."

His background in the restaurant business and health care administration also sets him apart from Brandom, he said.

Brandom has been more successful in her fundraising efforts. She had $155,000 more total cash on hand than Wallingford last month, according to quarterly campaign finance reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Brandom, who spent 32 years as the owner of a petroleum distribution company in Sikeston and was elected to the House in 2006, also opened a campaign office in Cape Girardeau this week at 1621 Independence St.

"We're working very quickly. I just got back from Jeff City this morning. I have several events scheduled in different counties. Now I'm all campaign," she said.

Brandom said up until now, she's been focused on the legislative session, which ended Friday.

She'll host a campaign kickoff and open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 2.

Several large Brandom for State Senate yard signs have popped up around the district in the last week.

Ron McCormick, a former Scott County Commissioner who attended Saturday's campaign event, said Wallingford isn't a candidate who thinks he has to buy votes.

"Once people talk to him and see he is a real grassroots conservative, they will get real interested in him real fast," McCormick said.

Tracey McClard of Jackson, who founded the organization Families and Friends Organized to Reform Juvenile Justice and worked with Wallingford on legislation this session, described him as a "true statesman."

"He's got friends on both sides of the aisle, Democrats and Republicans. They both listen to him," she said.

mmiller@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

518 Helena Avenue, Cape Girardeau, MO