ZIEGENHORN REJECTS CHALLENGE DUE TO FAMILY REASONS

JEFFERSON CITY -- For Dennis Ziegenhorn the decision not to challenge 8th district U.S Rep. Bill Emerson this year boiled down simply to a desire to spend more time with his family.

Ziegenhorn, who two weeks ago announced he would not seek an 8th two-year term in the Missouri House, received encouragement to seek the Democratic nomination of Congress.

After agonizing for weeks over whether to seek re-election, Ziegenhorn found himself agonizing over another choice: to go home to Sikeston or engage in a longshot battle for Congress.

Late Monday, the representative chose to go home, for now.

"I want to thank all the people who contacted me. I certainly appreciate their confidence," said Ziegenhorn. "But I'm going to go home and be a Bulldog supporter.

"I may be back someday, but I need to get through a few football and baseball seasons with my boys. I want to be around the boys and just be a father."

During his 14 years in the House, Ziegenhorn noted he did all he could to make most important family events. After spending a week in Jefferson City, it is not uncommon for Ziegenhorn to be found at a sports or school event involving his sons, cutting short or bypassing a meeting or event in the district politicians are expected to attend.

"I think I have done a good job balancing my family life and political life ... it's a delicate balance," said Ziegenhorn, who has a real estate business.

But despite that balance, Ziegenhorn said there are always things you miss -- events that cannot ever be made up.

"I want to be at some of these things in person and not see them on video tape. Memorex can't show everything -- it's nothing like being there in person."

Ziegenhorn and his wife Karen have two sons: Dez who is 15, and Bart who is 12.

Once he leaves his post as state representative early next year, Ziegenhorn intends to stay active, and makes it clear he will likely run for public office again some day. Congress remains a future possibility, as does the Missouri Senate or a seat on the Scott County Commission. His father, the late Eldon Ziegenhorn, was a longtime member of the county commission.

"I'm looking forward to promoting Southeast Missouri. It has a lot of potential," said Ziegenhorn.

"I looked closely at this Congressional race and in my mind I got to dreaming about it. It would be a good time to be a congressman and be a part of all the attempts to change things in this country. But I'm very pleased about my decision to be with the boys. These are really years that can't be made up ... they will be gone before I know it."

Ziegenhorn says he is proud of his career in the Missouri House. And while he expects to miss his colleagues and the opportunity to serve people in his district, he's looking forward to a change.

"I want to thank the many friends who have supported me over the years and who have been supporters of my political career," said Ziegenhorn. "But for a while, you will be able to find Dennis Ziegenhorn in Sikeston, spending time with my family and selling houses."

Ziegenhorn' whose father, the late Eldon Ziegenhorn, was a longtime member of the Scott County Commission, and there has been speculation he would seek a commission seat some day.