KENNY HULSHOF: FROM CHARLESTON TO WASHINGTON

This might be called "Local boy makes good." The story of Kenny Hulshof -- make that U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof -- is proof that hard work and dedication to high ideals and worthwhile goals will pay off.

The story begins on a farm near Charleston, where Hulshof's parents, Paul and Geri, still work the land. He graduated from Kelly High School at Benton, got a degree in agricultural economics at the University of Missouri and then a law degree from the University of Mississippi.

Many folks in the Cape Girardeau area will remember Hulshof from the days he served first as a public defender and then as an assistant prosecutor. His law career continued as he because a special prosecutor for the attorney general's office, successfully prosecuting 29 murder cases.

In 1994, Hulshof, a Republican, ran against the longtime Democratic incumbent representative in Missouri's 9th District, which covers most of the northeast quarter of the state. He lost by fewer than 12,000 votes. Last November he ran again and won. He has since been chosen as president of the 32 new Republicans in the House of Representatives.

Hulshof credits his efforts to stay in touch with his home district for much of his recent political success. He knows full well that he is being targeted -- particularly by Big Labor -- in next year's re-election bid.

There are an awful lot of folks who know Kenny Hulshof in Southeast Missouri who are wagering that voters in the 9th District will send him back to Washington.