STAPLES MAY RUN AGAIN

State Sen. Danny Staples is having second thoughts about retiring.

The Democrat from Eminence told his Senate colleagues in September that he wouldn't seek a fifth term in 1998.

But as the new year approaches, Staples said he is giving serious thought to running for another four-year term.

Staples said many of his constituents have urged him to run.

He said he will decide shortly after the first of the year whether to run again.

"It will be a personal and business decision," said Staples.

The lawmaker operates a canoe rental business and has represented the 20th Senate District since 1983.

He won election to the Senate in 1982 after serving three terms in the Missouri House.

The average age of state senators is in the range of 40 to 45, Staples estimated. But the 62-year-old senator said age won't be a factor in his upcoming decision.

"Age is not a factor in the ability to serve your district," Staples said. "Energy is certainly a factor."

Staples announced his retirement plans in September, saying that he wanted to give voters in his district time to "warm somebody up in the bullpen."

Staples, who is known for his colorful Ozarks expressions, represents Carter, Iron, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Shannon counties, and part of Jefferson County.

The veteran lawmaker said constituents have told him that the district would lose a powerful voice in the Legislature should he retire.

Staples chairs two major committees, one dealing with transportation and the other with state prisons. He ranks eighth in seniority in the 34-member Senate.

Staples received 71 percent of the vote in winning re-election in 1994, carrying all nine counties in the district.

The lawmaker said he has had a lot of bipartisan support within the district.

Redistricting is a concern in the largely rural district of about 170,000 people, Staples said.

The northern end of the district has seen substantial growth. But there has been little population growth in the south end, including Shannon County where Staples lives.

The Senate will appoint a commission to draw new legislative district boundaries in 2001. Shannon County could be moved out of the 20th Senate District and into another district, Staples said.

Uncertainty over future district boundaries could make some potential candidates reluctant to run for state senate, he said.

If he runs for re-election, it would be his last Senate race.

Missouri's new term limits law limits senators to eight years in office. The clock started ticking with the 1994 election.

Staples said he appreciates the sentiments of those urging him to run for re-election in 1998. "It is wonderful to be wanted," he said.