Election Feature: Hulshof defeats Burghard
Published Nov. 8, 2006
Republican Kenny Hulshof was re-elected as U.S. Representative for the 9th District, but his celebration was dampened as the Republican Party lost its majority in the House of Representatives.
Hulshof announced the victory moments before opponent Duane Burghard called to concede the election.
"I especially appreciate here, in this district, because the temptation was change for change's sake," Hulshof said to his supporters. "I'm humbled by the fact that people are willing to look beyond the slogan."
Hulshof supporter Larry Stevens said he views Hulshof as an independent legislator.
"He has good values, a straight shooter, and he doesn't necessarily toe along with the party line," Stevens said.
Hulshof said the Democratic majority would be an interesting change in dynamic.
"I've worked across the aisle before," he said.
Missouri's 9th District Democratic congressional candidate Duane Burghard gave a somber closing speech to a supportive crowd Tuesday night at The Blue Note in downtown Columbia.
"I just made a call to my opponent Kenny Hulshof to congratulate him over being able to serve the next two years in a Democratic House," Burghard said. "The Democratic message may not have spread through Missouri, but the message is clear nationwide."
Burghard said that both he and Hulshof agreed that this has been one of the cleanest House races in a long time. Progressive Party candidate Bill Hastings was also in Columbia on Tuesday night watching the results.
"No one really takes a third-party candidate serious," Hastings said. "We could do the job, though."
Hastings garnered 1 percent of the vote.