This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: August 4, 2008 - U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof and state Treasurer Sarah Steelman wrapped up their contentious primary campaigns for governor on Monday with each arguing for the chance to take on Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon, the presumptive Democratic nominee, in the fall general election.
But a larger question that neither candidate answered is whether they and other politicians, Democrats and Republicans, understand the deeper, underlying issues that may drive today's voting. One main question the candidates have yet to tackle: What policies might Missouri enact to help those losing their jobs, savings, homes and even self-confidence during what are tough times for many of them?
Neither candidate sought to address such issues, just as they sidestepped what to do about health-care cuts, the loss of federal highway dollars and the potential state deficit. The GOP campaign wasn't lively because candidates addressed these issues; it was lively because candidates essentially ignored them, preferring to rely on time-worn modes of attack. Steelman needled Hulshof for supporting earmarks and called him a big spender who didn't know when to say no to government waste.
He in turn chose mainly to take the high road, depicting himself as a proud public servant whose good name and record were being distorted -- although he claimed that Steelman was a flip-flopper, changing her stands for political advantage. Oddly, the one person dominating the election seems to be the candidate who pulled himelf out of the race -- Gov. Matt Blunt.
Democrats have tried to steer the debate toward the state's management under the GOP-controlled legislature and its budget cuts that eliminated health assistance to tens of thousands of Missourians. Even Democrats whose offices have no control over government spending seem to take pride in saying, "I stood up to Blunt" and against the budget cuts. This looks like a trial run for themes that will emerge again this fall.
In the primary at least, the two GOP candidates for governor didn't run away from Blunt's record. Hulshof hasn't offered strong objections to it, and Steelman once commended the governor for his decisions. The test will come, after the primary, when the GOP nominee has to appeal to a wider range of voters.
In any case, the winner is promised a tough fall race against Nixon, already ahead in the polls. He has already made it clear that his campaign will remind voters of Blunt's budget cuts -- and the harm they've done -- and he'll try to tie the GOP primary winner to those policies.
Nixon has promised to restore the cuts while Missouri's GOP leadership is claiming that the state cannot afford the expense. Republicans have pointed to holes in Nixon's math. Put another way, neither Republican naysayers nor Democratic proponents of the needy have found the answer to this and other problems staring at the next governor.
Both GOP contenders have advantages going into today's primary election. Hulshof enjoys broad party support that could help turn out the faithful, but Steelman may be able to compensate by being from a region with a high voter turnout. In addition, she's probably more widely known because she has already won a statewide election.
Turnout could be a factor. Because no hot ballot issues are at stake, fewer Missourians are expected to show up than in August 2004. That year, the elections drew 1.5 million Missourians or 36 percent of those eligible to vote. This time, according to the secretary of state's office, roughly 1.2 million voters, 31 percent of those eligible to go to the polls, are predicted to go to the polls. That number could be affected further by the heat, with the temperatures expected to be in the high 90s.
Beyond the primary race for governor are closely watched contests, such the 9th congressional district seat that Hulshof is vacating. The Democrats believe they have a shot at this in the fall. Four Democrats and five Republicans are contending for their parties' nominations.
Perhaps the liveliest statewide is for attorney general, with three Democrats in the primary: The race for attorney general has generated a lot of interest because Chris Koster is a former Republican, but he has won the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay.
Four Democrats also are seeking to take Steelman's old job of treasurer: Rep. Clint Zweifel, a Florissant resident with Clay's endorsement; Andria Simckes, a lawyer from Creve Coeur with managerial experience in state and local government; physician and former Kansas City mayor Charles B. Wheeler, and Arnold Mayor Mark Powell, who won the Democratic nomination in 2004 against Steelman. The sole GOP candidate is Sen. Brad Lager of Maryville.
GOP Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is facing opposition from two candidates: Paul Douglas Sims, a disabled firefighter and rancher from Lecoma and Arthur Hodge Sr., a retiree from Springfield. Kinder's chief Democratic challenger is likely to be Rep. Sam Page, a physician, from Creve Coeur. Other Democrats in the race are Michael E. Carter, an attorney from St. Charles; Richard C. Tolbert, a businessman from Kansas City; C. Lilliam Metzger, a retired paralegal from Troy; Becky L. Plattner from Grand Pass; and Mary Williams of Jefferson City.
Given the state of Missouri's economy, perhaps it is no surprise that bread and butter issues are uppermost in the minds of many voters, and that many Democrats are running indirectly against Blunt rather than their opponents on the ballot. This fall campaigns may help to put these issues in sharper focus and determine whether the outgoing governor, and Republicans who defended him, will be rebuked or vindicated for their management of the state's affairs.