THAD'S GLAD: HUMPHREY ADVICE PAYS DIVIDENDS FOR PERSISTENT BULLOCK

In 1968, Vice President Hubert Humphrey advised congressional candidate Thad Bullock to "hang in there. Some day you will win."

Twenty-four years and six congressional campaigns later, Humphrey's words of advice have come to pass. Thad Bullock is a winner.

He is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 8th District.

Early Wednesday morning, final returns from the 8th District pushed Bullock to the top of the six-candidate field, making him a winner over James L. Thompson of Bourbon by a 111-vote margin. Bullock received 24 percent of the votes cast.

For Bullock, who had never come close to capturing his party's nomination during races in 1968, 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1990, Wednesday was a day of jubilation.

"I'm a happy campaigner," said the colorful Bullock Wednesday morning, with a big smile on his face and waving his campaign hat.

Bullock visited several coffee shops around town and at each place was enthusiastically greeted.

"They gave me a big round of applause when I walked in ... everyone is full of fun," said Bullock. "I'm getting all kinds of congratulatory calls."

Bullock, who closed his piano store in the old Marquette Hotel and retired at the end of last year, said he was not surprised by his victory, only by the close margin.

"I felt very sure that I could win," he said.

In particular, Bullock was amused that he won despite efforts by Democratic Party leaders in the 8th District to find other candidates who could beat him in the primary election.

"I feel elated that I have overcome the present situation," said Bullock, who will challenge U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson's bid for a seventh term in November.

He criticized 8th District Democratic chairman Todd McBride for endorsing Jon Kiser of Piedmont for the nomination last week. McBride's action tightened the race, Bullock believes.

"McBride did a political no-no by endorsing Jon Kiser and saying he was a frontrunner. He was not the frontrunner - he was far from it," said Bullock. "It was a piece of political dumbness to do that."

Kiser wound up fourth in the race with 10,854 votes, putting him well behind Bullock who received 17,770. Thompson received 17,559 votes and Shannon Russell of Gideon got 11,352.

Finishing behind Kiser were Dean Burk of DeSoto, with 8,519 votes, and Johnny Dover of Bell City, with 7,919.

Bullock recalled that Democrats held meetings in the Bootheel in late February and March trying to find a candidate after he had already filed ... trying to find what they called "a viable candidate."

"A viable candidate is one who has never been in office, who represents the same independent actions as Ross Perot displayed," suggested Bullock. "Unlike Perot, I say a quitter never wins and a winner never quits."

To celebrate Wednesday, Bullock rolled a piano out in front of the Marquette and played several numbers, waving vigorously to honking motorists driving by.

During his past campaigns, Bullock has drawn the attention of many voters by entertaining them with lively tunes on the piano and organ at public gatherings and senior citizen centers.

Bullock said he plans to run a positive campaign, focusing on three issues: the "shrinking economy, the need for national health care and the need for deserving students to receive a college education.

"I am certain that my qualifications in life will tie in with these top three priority issues."

Bullock contends his 40 years of experience as a small businessman will enable him to take the lead in attracting new industry to the 8th District.

As a veteran of World War II, Bullock said he wants questions about all Vietnam prisoners of war cleared up.

"I want our people brought home, dead or alive," he observed.

"I also do not want Social Security or veterans benefits decreased in order to balance the budget."

Bullock also stressed his farming background. He still owns a farm in Dunklin County. He believes too often farmers are having to pay more to raise a crop than they receive for it.

Rather than send foreign aid in the form of cash, Bullock proposes sending grain instead as a way of helping farmers. "In the 8th District, agriculture is the king," he noted.

Bullock concedes he will likely have to spend more than the $400 he spent on the primary to beat Emerson in November - but not too much more.

To cut costs while traveling around the district, he stayed with relatives. "I bought no signs; I had some. I bought no cards; I had some," said Bullock.

"It seems money is not the name of the game. I spent less money than anyone ever running for U.S. Congress has spent," he added. "The mood of the people is anger and uproar. I feel no amount of money my opponent may spend will change the outlook of this campaign. He represents the current administration. The mood of the voters is a desire for change.

"The race now, is on."