THREE REPUBLICANS VIE FOR KASTEN'S SEAT

The three Cape Girardeau Republicans running for state representative of the 158th District favor tax cuts and oppose abortion.

The candidates are City Councilman Jay Purcell, lawyer Jason Crowell and businessman Stan Wicks.

The winner faces Cape Girardeau City Councilman Tom Neumeyer in the November election to succeed retiring Republican state Rep. Mary Kasten. The legislative district encompasses most of the city of Cape Girardeau.

Jason Crowell

Crowell said he is running to help improve the community.

"I think I can help be a part of making Cape Girardeau a stronger, brighter community," he said.

Crowell wants to eliminate state taxes on Social Security benefits, saying: "I think it is a travesty we tax Social Security benefits on the state level."

Government, he said, takes too much money from taxpayers and always finds a way to spend it.

"Let's keep the money out of the beast's mouth," said Crowell.

As to the tobacco settlement, Crowell said any payments to the state should be used for tax relief for businesses and to assist Missourians in dealing with the high cost of prescription drugs. Crowell suggested tax credits could help Missourians coping with high bills for prescription drugs.

He said he would push to eliminate the "hold harmless" provision in state law, which he said provides less state funding for school districts that have a high level of local tax support.

State funding for school districts should be made solely on a per pupil basis, Crowell said.

He said the Legislature needs to continue to address the methamphetamine epidemic in the state. Crowell said he would use the position of state representative to speak out about the drug problem.

"I will use the bully pulpit to bring attention and focus on how evil this drug is," he said.

As to highway construction, Crowell said the state should first proceed with projects that are needed to meet safety concerns. He doesn't think a tax increase will be necessary.

Crowell said he has the experience for the legislative job, having worked for state Sen. Peter Kinder and the late congressman Bill Emerson.

Jay Purcell

As for Purcell, he said he has gained valuable experience serving on the City Council the past 2 1/2 years.

Purcell said he has a track record with the voters.

"I think they have seen me under fire," he said. "They have seen me get things done."

Purcell stresses his experience in raising a family.

"I think the most important thing is that a person who goes to the Legislature has to know what it takes to raise a family in today's world," he said.

"Health care, funding for schools, minimum wage, every single issue will come back to the Missouri family," he said.

Missourians, he said, need tax cuts. High taxes have forced both parents to work in many families and to work longer hours.

If taxes were lower, parents would have more money and more time to spend with their children, he said.

Purcell said steps need to be taken to restore the Missouri Department of Transportation's credibility regarding highway projects.

"We can't make empty promises and then expect Missourians to continue to support the Department of Transportation," said Purcell, referring to the failed 15-year highway plan. "By every stretch of the imagination, if it were a business, it would be bankrupt. I think we definitely have to demand better accountability."

If elected state representative, Purcell said he would bring "common sense" to the job.

Stan Wicks

Wicks insists he isn't a politician. Wicks, who operates several businesses, said companies are being "taxed to death."

"We are just taxed, taxed, taxed on everything," he said. "I feel like businesses are not rewarded for employing people. I feel like we are punished for the more we make."

Wicks favors tax cuts. Property taxes, in particular, should be cut, he said.

On education, Wicks favors competency testing of students. Wicks said students should be required to pass competency tests before being promoted to another grade or graduating from high school.

"I would like to see us return control of education to local communities," said Wicks.

He said schools, parents and communities should be in charge of discipline, not the state.

Wicks said the paddling of students was practiced when he attended school.

"Corporal punishment, I never did see anything wrong with that," he said.

He said the judicial and corrections system needs to be overhauled, Wicks said, adding that too many criminals get off on legal loopholes.

Those in county jails or Missouri's state prisons should be required to work while they are incarcerated, Wicks said. That isn't occurring in prisons today.

"It is not rehabilitation," Wicks said. "It is a housing project with a fence around it."

As to transportation, Wicks said toll roads and bridges offer a way to fund needed improvements. "They can pay for themselves," he said.

Jay Purcell

Age: 32

Hometown: Cape Girardeau

Party: Republican

Job History: Has served on the Cape Girardeau City Council for 2 1/2 years. He and his wife own Purcell Enterprises, which operates rental properties and a laundromat. He also works at Dana Corp.

Education: Attended University High School in Cape Girardeau, received a GED while in the Navy. Attended Southeast Missouri State University.

Personal: Married. He and his wife, Kelly, have three children.

Jason Crowell

Age: 28

Hometown: Cape Girardeau

Party: Republican

Job History: Attorney with Oliver, Oliver and Waltz law firm in Cape Girardeau. Worked for the Missouri attorney general's office in the litigation division, state Sen. Peter Kinder's Capitol office, the Missouri Supreme Court and the late congressman Bill Emerson's Washington office.

Education: Graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School, Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in economics and the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.

Personal: Single.

Stan Wicks

Age: 38

Hometown: Cape Girardeau

Party: Republican

Job History: Owner of General Maintenance Co., a building renovations and repair business. He and his wife co-own Wicks Properties and a U-Haul dealership. Worked as a electrician. His wife owns Helpers Moving and Delivery.

Education: Attended high school in Lafox, Ill., and later obtained a GED. Took classes through the Missouri vocational program.

Personal: Married. He and his wife, Debbie, have two children.