Two Dexter men compete for open Missouri House seat

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Until Republican Rob Mayer toppled a popular incumbent four years ago, the 159th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives was safely Democratic.

With Mayer stepping down to run for the Senate, Democrats view the district as one of their best opportunities to regain lost ground in Southeast Missouri. But because legislative redistricting pushed the district deep into Republican-dominated Cape Girardeau County, winning the seat will prove more difficult for Democrats than it had in the past.

The two Dexter men seeking the seat in the Nov. 2 elections, Democrat Boyce Wooley and Republican Billy Pat Wright, both say the race is highly competitive.

The 159th District is primarily based in the northern half of Stoddard County but also includes the southwestern third of Cape Girardeau County plus a small corner of Wayne County.

Wooley, 56, is a former teacher who spent most of his 30-year career in education at Dexter High School, where he also coached football and wrestling. Since retiring from teaching, he has worked as a bailiff at the Stoddard County Justice Center.

In winning the Democratic primary with 59 percent support, Wooley picked up almost as many votes as cast for all three contenders in the Republican primary, which Wright claimed with a 48.1 percent plurality.

Wright, 67, is a retired manager at Southwestern Bell who also spent three decades selling real estate. Although he sold his real estate firm several years ago, he still works in the field part time. He also operates a small cattle farm.

Both men put improving state education funding for rural schools at the top of their agendas.

Wright said efforts should be made to improve education funds by reallocating money within the existing state budget. However, he said in the future it may be necessary to consider targeted tax increases, such as raising levies on the casino gambling industry.

"As a last resort to keep schools from falling behind, that would be something to look at," Wright said.

In addition to higher taxes on gambling, Wooley said raising levies on cigarettes or alcohol are other possible methods for improving education funding. But like Wright, Wooley said he currently isn't proposing any tax increase.

"I don't want to increase taxes, but you can't have a Cadillac at Wal-Mart prices," Wooley said. "Everyone wants that quality education, but they are not always willing to pay for it."

As with education funding, both candidates also want the state to try harder to live within its means concerning transportation spending before asking voters for more money.

Amendment 3, which is on November's statewide ballot, would eventually shift an estimated $160 million a year in existing state revenue to the Missouri Department of Transportation. The bulk of the money would come from redirecting the portion of proceeds from sales taxes on motor vehicles that currently goes into the state's general fund.

Wooley said he opposes Amendment 3 because it would reduce the amount of funds that would otherwise be available for education and other state agencies.

"Once you start shifting money out of general revenue, other areas that need revenue are going to suffer," Wooley said.

The financial impact on other state departments also concerns Wright, although he is leaning in support of the proposal.

"I definitely would like to look at it further, but at this point it looks promising," Wright said.

To combat the use of methamphetamine, Wooley endorses efforts to help users of the drug overcome their addictions and become productive citizens.

"Our treatment and rehab programs need to be strengthened to help addicts become drug free," Wooley said.

As a way to bolster agricultural markets, Wright proposes more state investment in biodiesel and ethanol production.

"As gas prices increase, this could be more viable," Wright said.

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