Senate debates unified ticket for top state posts

POLITICAL TEAM

By Marc Powers ~ Southeast Missourian

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The lieutenant governor would cease to be independently elected by voters under a measure the Senate debated on Wednesday.

Under the proposed constitutional amendment, a gubernatorial candidate would select a running mate to occupy the secondary spot and the two would run for office as a team.

The amendment's sponsor, Republican state Sen. Marvin Singleton of Joplin, said the change would ensure that Missouri's top two executive branch officials belonged to the same political party.

"It would actually improve tickets for the parities," Singleton said, allowing candidates to achieve geographic and ideological balance.

Singleton also said it would reduce overall campaign contributions, since a "unified team" could run more cheaply than separate candidates.

Though the proposal failed to make it to a vote, the Senate is expected to return to it later in the session.

The amendment, which would require voter approval, would establish a system similar to those in place in 23 other states, as well as that used at the federal level for selecting the vice president. Illinois, Iowa and Kansas are among the neighboring states that have unified tickets.

Since 1993, Missouri's top two officials have been Democrats. However, for 16 years prior to that, the two parties split the positions.

While the office of lieutenant governor has gained a number of statutory duties in recent decades, being ready to replace the governor in case of incapacitation, death or ouster remains its primary role.

People's choice

State Sen. Ken Jacob, D-Columbia, said it is important the lieutenant governor be chosen by the people and not reduced to a political appointment.

"In an instance when the lieutenant governor takes over, at least we have a man who was elected by the people independently so we know he has public support," Jacob said. "If Roger Wilson had been selected by the governor, he wouldn't have had the credibility he had when Governor Carnahan died."

Wilson served as lieutenant governor for nearly eight years before assuming the top post following the October 2000 death of Gov. Mel Carnahan.

State Sen. Ed Quick, D-Liberty, said voters would focus on the top of tickets and give little consideration to running mates.

"I think it would take the opportunity away from voters to decide who would follow the governor," Quick said.

With Singleton's consent, state Sen. Ronnie DePasco, D-Kansas City, offered an amendment to eliminate special elections to fill vacancies in the General Assembly. Instead, the governor would appoint a replacement from a list of three candidates submitted by the political party of the person being replaced.

Particularly in the House of Representatives, there has been a revolving door of members stepping down in the middle of the term, requiring special elections that usually yield low voter turnout.

"Holding all of these special elections is costing the state millions of dollars," DePasco said.

State Sen. Wayne Goode, D-Normandy, warned the amendment was constitutionally dangerous.

"I would argue this is not a benign idea," Goode said. "It may cost a little money to have special elections, but there is an important principle of separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches. We do not want the governor appointing members of the Legislature."

Singleton set aside his proposal with DePasco's amendment pending.

The measure is SJR 23.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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