WHEAT TO CAMPAIGN IN CAPE SUNDAY

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alan Wheat will be campaigning in Cape Girardeau Sunday as part of a Memorial Day weekend swing through the state.

Wheat, serving his sixth term in the U.S. House from the 5th district of Kansas City and its Jackson County suburbs, will meet with local Democrats Sunday at the home of John and Bekki Cook, 1520 Sylvan Lane.

The reception will begin at 4 p.m. and additional information is available by calling 335-6651.

Wheat is considered one of the top Democratic candidates running for his party's nomination in the Aug. 2 primary. The winning Democrat will face former Republican Gov. John Ashcroft in November.

Sen. John Danforth is retiring after serving 18 years in the seat.

Wheat, 42, has campaigned extensively around Missouri since Danforth announced his retirement early last year.

He has been endorsed by State Treasurer Bob Holden; former U.S. Sen. Thomas Eagleton; Former Gov. Warren Hearnes and his wife Betty, a former state legislator; and St. Louis County Councilman Geri Rothman-Serot, who was the Democratic nominee for the Senate against Kit Bond two years ago.

"I'm looking forward to spending the Memorial Day weekend and the following week meeting more of my fellow Missourians," said Wheat. "As Missouri's next senator, I want to be sure that young Missourians receive all the opportunities I received growing up -- whether they live in our major cities or our small towns and rural communities."

Wheat's supporters point to his fundraising success as an indication of his ability to wage a strong campaign against Ashcroft. So far he has raised more than $1.3 million, which is comparable to Ashcroft.