WEILAND HOPES TO UNSEAT GRAHAM

FREDERICKTOWN -- Eight years ago Don Weiland moved to Fredericktown with thoughts of retiring or at least slowing down.

Four years ago Jim Graham, a longtime resident of Madison County, a cattle farmer and active Republican, decided to challenge veteran Democratic state Rep. Frank Ellis. Graham was successful, and in 1992 was re-elected without opposition.

Weiland found plenty to do in Fredericktown, where he had owned a home for a number of years. He became active in real estate developments and other business ventures and took on an active role in community affairs. Retirement wasn't in Weiland's plans.

Now Weiland, a Democrat, is challenging Graham for his 106th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives. Weiland hopes to convince voters that his diverse experience will make him more effective in Jefferson City.

Graham, 34, believes he has been doing a good job representing the district, not only in voting its interests but helping people with problems.

"The feedback I am getting sounds very positive," said Weiland, 57. "I am getting very strong bipartisan support throughout the district. I think people realize they need a representative up there who can deliver, and hopefully they believe I can do that."

Graham, who like Weiland has been campaigning at a variety of events around the district this summer, will run on his record.

"I think I have tried to serve the people with the honesty and integrity the district deserves," said Graham. "My voting record shows that I am a good conservative, rural Missourian."

Graham said groups like the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau, and American Family Association rate him highly in voting. "These ratings say something about who I am and what I try to be," he said.

The 106th District is comprised of all of Madison County, northern Bollinger County and southern St. Francois County, including Farmington.

Weiland has a business background. He was raised on a farm near Hartsburg, Ill., and owns a farm between Fredericktown and Farmington. He moved to the area from St. Louis.

During the last few months, Weiland has made a number of trips to Jefferson City as chairman of Fredericktown's delegation that is trying to secure a women's correctional institution. A joint legislative committee on correctional institutions didn't recommend the town's site to the governor last week, but Weiland has vowed to continue the fight.

"I'm not a quitter," he said. "The prison project is a good example of that." said Weiland. "I think there is a definite choice in this campaign. My background in business is an asset; I have been successful and I know how to get things done."

Graham believes his grassroots support will land him a victory Nov. 8.

Said Graham: "I've got a lot of good supporters. You never want to be overconfident. People still want you to work and ask for their support. I have tried to do a good job and stand for values people in this area believe in and respect. I have tried to stand up against excessive taxes and the enlargement of government, and I believe my day-to-day work of helping people deal with the bureaucracy of government will make a difference."