RICHARDS WITHDRAWS AS CANDIDATE

Doug Richards has withdrawn as a Democratic candidate for Cape Girardeau County associate commissioner of the 2nd District.

Richards said Thursday he withdrew because there is a possibility he will be moving to a residence located in the 1st District and he did feel right about continuing the race. In order to serve as an associate commissioner, you must live in the district you represent.

"I just didn't think it would be fair to voters and people of the district to put my name on the ballot and then run the risk of moving out of the district," said Richards.

He recently sold a home he had built that was in the 2nd District and currently rents a house in the district. But Richards said he hopes to build another home and it is possible it will not be in that district.

The 2nd District includes all of the city of Cape Girardeau, except for Ward 17, while the remainder of the county is in the 1st District.

"I'm just not sure what district I was going to end up in and about the only decision I had was to pull out as a candidate," he explained.

Richards completed a four-year term on the Cape Girardeau City Council last month.

He serves as director of the Department of Public Safety at Southeast Missouri State University.

Richards' withdrawal leaves two candidates in the Aug. 2 Democratic primary, Andy Juden Jr. and Max Stovall. Three Republicans have filed for the seat: Dave Patterson, Joe Gambill and John Ferguson.

Republican incumbent E.C. Younghouse is not seeking re-election this year.

Richards said he is not ruling out a future bid for public office.

"I may very well look at other political offices. I have some other interests out there and will have to wait and see how things develop," said Richards.

"The sheriff's position is something I would definitely be interested in, although I would never consider running against Sheriff (Norm) Copeland," Richards said.

"We are fortunate to have Sheriff Copeland with all of his experience in law enforcement. He is one of the better sheriff's in the state of Missouri. I would never consider running against him."

The sheriff's office will not be on the ballot again until 1996.