Special House election set for November

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The special election to replace Denny Merideth in the House of Representatives will be held Nov. 4.

Merideth, a Caruthersville Democrat, resigned his seat in June to take a job with the U.S. State Department. His successor will serve the remainder of Merideth's term, which ends in January 2005.

Local Democratic and Republican committees in the district, which represents Pemiscot County and parts of Dunklin and New Madrid counties, must name their special election candidates by Sept. 8.

So far, two hopefuls are vying for the Democratic nomination. Dr. Terry Swinger, a Caruthersville optometrist, has already been endorsed by Merideth. Shirley T. Johnson, an English teacher in the Cooter School District, has also announced her interest in the nomination.

Merideth was the last remaining Democratic state lawmaker in the Bootheel at the time of his resignation. However, it has been 70 years since a Republican last represented a Pemiscot County-based district in the Missouri House. A Republican hasn't even sought the seat since 1980.

Missouri Republican Party spokesman Scott Baker, noting steady GOP gains in the region in recent years, said the party is in contact with several individuals considering making a bid for the seat, though he said it was too early to publicly name any possible candidates.

"We are taking a hard look at candidates, and we fully expect to compete in that district," Baker said.

Republicans currently hold 90 House seats, while Democrats have 72.

Gov. Bob Holden, a Democrat, set the special election date late Friday afternoon. Another special election to replace the late state Sen. Ronnie DePasco, D-Kansas City, had previously been scheduled for the same day.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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