Clint Zweifel aims to help provide economic relief
The Democratic nominee said he knows the position, its importance.
Oct. 6, 2008
For Clint Zweifel, the Democratic candidate for Missouri state treasurer, the mission in Jefferson City is simple.
"The first job of the state treasurer is to make sure we protect investors, taxpayers and consumers," Zweifel said. "The treasurer has to be willing to throw up his sleeves and get things done."
Zweifel is a relatively seasoned veteran of Missouri politics - he is serving his third term in the state House - and he realizes the fundamental problems facing his campaign.
The candidate is a Democrat trying to gain a Republican seat. Sarah Steelman is not running again because of her primary bid for governor.
Zweifel is running for a lesser-known position, which might be clouded even more by the especially high-profile presidential race.
So the 34-year-old has spent much of his run for treasurer on the offensive. He's attacked his opponent, Republican Brad Lager, saying Lager is a "rubber stamp" for Gov. Matt Blunt. Zweifel also produced a television advertisement firmly depicting himself as the antithesis of Blunt.
"After four years, we can see that Lager and Blunt's policies don't work," he said.
But Zweifel still holds an ideal for the perfect treasurer.
"The treasurer restores faith and trust," he said. "My approach is one of optimism and hope that we can actually move this state forward. At the end of the day, we need someone who is fiscally responsible."
This responsibility, Zweifel said, consists of good office management, hiring a good staff and being able to build solid relationships.
In regard to fiscal goals, Zweifel said he hopes to provide property tax relief, make the fiscal case for health care and make higher education more affordable.
Those might be lofty goals for a man running in his first race for a statewide office, but his previous experience bolsters his ability to accomplish his goals.
Zweifel has made a name for himself in the House as a fiscal fighter by serving as a ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, the Joint Committee on Tax Policy and the Special Committee on Tax Reform.
He also chaired the Missouri Democratic Campaign Committee in 2006, fundraising the most money since 1978.
Such day-to-day immersion in the fiscal politics of Missouri makes Zweifel confident in his ability to "understand the nuts and bolts of budgets and fiscal policies."
A graduate from UM-St. Louis with degrees in political science and business management, Zweifel has focused his campaign around "renewing the promise of homeownership, making college affordable for students and their families, and protecting Missouri retirees and investors," his Web site stated.
"He was able to get me excited about politics," campaign spokesman Brandon Fuhr said, concerning why he supports Zweifel.
As a man just out of college, Fuhr was especially drawn to Zweifel's insistence upon making higher education more affordable and his desire to protect investors.
"I want to know when I retire or when my parents retire that our money is safe," Fuhr said.
Zweifel, the Florissant representative in the House, lives with his wife Janice, who teaches children with special needs. They have two children.
Zweifel, even in this tumultuous election season, recognizes the importance of the position he wants to attain.
"This is a real opportunity to serve my state," he said.
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