THREE FAMILIAR NAMES COMPETE FOR SENATE NOMINTION

For Hugh White, running for the Missouri Senate is an opportunity to offer voters a non-traditional candidate, someone who has gained most of his experience outside of public office.

For Betty Hearnes, her candidacy gives voters a chance to elect someone with a broad background in education and someone with proven legislative experience.

Bill Burch is offering voters the approach of a small businessman, with experience in agriculture and nine years experience in city government.

White, Hearnes and Burch make up the field of Democratic candidates for the 27th district. The winner on Tuesday, will face Republican Peter Kinder in November. The district, which includes the counties of Cape Girardeau, Scott, Mississippi, Bollinger, Perry, and Madison, has no incumbent running this year.

Veteran Sen. John Dennis, D-Benton, announced last July he would not seek a fifth term.

The three Democrats feel good about the way their campaigns have gone. All three said Thursday they were optimistic about becoming the nominee of their party next week.

In his campaign, White is focusing on the issues of health care, education, and jobs, which all three agree are among the top issues.

"The biggest problem I see is economics," said White. "There are so many problems. You have problems at all levels of government, but those problems are minimized when you have a prosperous economy. In good times, you just don't see the problems as in bad times."

In dealing with economic problems, White said the extent of the problems vary between counties of the district. "We have to take a different approach, depending on the situation," said White. "The entire district has a lot of potential with its location and good transportation system, and I think government can do a lot to help that."

White, who works in warehouse supervision at Wetterau Foods, said he supports programs to provide job training and re-training for workers who need jobs.

Hearnes points out that education and jobs must go hand in hand. She served on committees for education and an appropriations committee for education during her five terms in the Missouri House, and was trained as a teacher.

"I looked at this seat and saw some things I want to do. I've got some experience to do it," said Hearnes. "I feel I can help our area in improving education and getting jobs. I think with my experience, I can be the kind of senator the people want."

Burch said he will bring "a common sense, businessman's approach" to the job and offers a diverse background. He decided to run because of his concern about what is happening in the state and area.

"We have one of the richest agricultural areas in the nation, but small towns in our area are dying. I want to try and promote agriculture related business in small towns," said Burch. "We tend to think of boarded up store fronts being in big cities, but we have them right here in Southeast Missouri."

Burch, who is the owner of Burch Food Services in Sikeston, which has about 100 employees, feels jobs is the top priority of the district and education the top concern in the state.

"We've got to get jobs, but to get jobs, education has to be the cornerstone," he declared. He points out that Madison County is second in the state in unemployment, Mississippi is fifth, and Scott and Bollinger are in the top 24.

"The first thing people ask about when they consider locating a plant in an area is the education system," said Burch.

He supports spending one third of the state budget for education, ending state programs that have no funding provided, giving more local control to school boards, and working toward smaller class sizes.

Hearnes of Charleston, the wife of former Gov. Warren Hearnes, sees budget problems as the primary state issue. "The state has to face up to budget problems and addressing the needs in education," she said. "That is what most people are concerned about, and what we need to be concerned about."

White added, "The education problem is not going to go away. There are no real fast solutions to problems facing the district. But what I do suggest is that I am willing to listen and try to understand the concern of people in the district. I want to understand the will of the people and take that message to Jefferson City."

In addressing the health care problem, White said it is best to deal with the problem at the state level, rather than the federal. "The first thing we have to do is come to grips with it to the greatest extent we can. Those people not covered by any insurance need the most help, but we do need to develop an overall strategy based on input from everyone involved in health care."

Hearnes noted that the General Assembly considered a number of bills this year on health care and anticipates some kind of compromise coming soon. "The ultimate goal is health insurance for everyone," said Hearnes. "I think there is a consensus among people that they have to have accessibility to health insurance."

She added, "We know what the state needs; we need to look at the group of people that are not insured."

Burch noted that as a small businessman, he has been hit hard with rising costs of health insurance. "Something has got to happen soon," he said. "It will be a top priority of mine. The state can't wait on the federal government to act."

Another problem facing small business is workers compensation insurance. "For the small businessman, that is his number one problem," said Burch.

White sees health care and workers comp as being interrelated. "Until we get a handle on what's going on and possible solutions, it is just going to continue to escalate as a problem."

Hearnes noted that an interim committee is studying the problem an is optimistic legislation to address workers comp will be handled next year. "It needs to be dealt with. I think we all agree with that," said Hearnes.

On the issue of abortion, all three are pro-life and agree abortion should only be used in cases of rape, incest, or threat to the mother's life.

Hearnes says she is different from her two opponents because of her experience in education and government. "I have worked in the committee system and understand the workings of government, which would help me fare better," said Hearnes.

"I'm not saying anything about the other two, I just think I am a stronger candidate."

Burch stressed that he has a more diverse background and with six years as mayor has experience leading a government, developing issues, and promoting economic development.

"I think we are all qualified to serve in the State Senate," said White. "But my advantages are the fact that I have been responsible for a $1.8 million budget as far back of 1980 in my job, and in serving four years on the Cape Girardeau city council I have served a constituency that is larger than a state representative's constituency."

If elected, White said he would hold town hall meetings each month in every town of the district, have a toll free number for constituents to call his office, and have a computer in his district office that has current information on legislation.