Politicians register for upcoming elections

Candidates for the 24th district tout experience and interest in education.

By Will Guldin

Published Feb. 26, 2010

JEFFERSON CITY — In the first official day to sign up for November's statewide elections, politicians flocked to the state's capitol to register on the ballot.

Fifth Ward Councilwoman Laura Nauser was one of these candidates. She has filed to run in the 24th district, which is held by incumbent Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia. She said she has a vision for Missouri.

"I'm in my second term as city councilwoman, so I've thought about moving on to state races," she said. "I saw the opportunity and thought I would be the person to sign up and run on the Republican ticket."

Kelly, who has decided to run for re-election, said his plans were not changed by Nauser's decision.

"I'm running for re-election, not against any one candidate," he said.

The MU College Democrats are planning to campaign on his behalf. President Amanda Shelton said college students couldn't, in most cases, provide financial support for a candidate.

"Since we don't do that, we offer our time, our effort, our commitment, and I think that's important," she said.

She said though they will campaign for Kelly, they are focusing on Kelly Schultz's campaign for the 21st district, one corner of which borders Columbia. Incumbent Rep. Steve Hobbs, R-Mexico, is term-limited and cannot run again.

"Of course we'll volunteer for Chris's campaign, but we want to make sure we have a little bit of focus and maximize our resources," she said.

Nauser said with five years served on City Council, she understands what people in her district want.

"People are moving away from states that have high taxes and many regulatory measures to states that don't have those things," she said. "I would really like to see Missouri turn the economic downtown into a positive."

The MU College Republicans are also going to campaign for Nauser, said Jonathan Ratliff, former College Republicans state chairman.

"During the last election, the College Republicans made over 225,000 voter contacts," he said. "We're going to do that again."

Nauser said being a mother of two in Columbia helps her understand issues important to citizens. She also graduated from Columbia College.

"She's knowledgeable, got some good ideas that would benefit the 24th," Ratliff said. "I can't say what those are yet, but when I was talking to her, she had some good ideas and I was impressed. "

Kelly, an MU Law School graduate, also has two children. Shelton said he's been an excellent advocate for students and his constituents in general.

"He's reiterated, again and again, that education is important to him," she said.

Columbia's other Democratic representatives, Mary Still and Stephen Webber, have also filed for re-election.

"I think I've been working hard for the 23rd district, but there is a lot of work left to do," Webber said.

Still, who has sponsored ethics reform legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, said she is a strong voice for mid-Missouri.

"Our challenge for all of us in Boone County is to support issues important to Columbia, like higher education, public education, the creation of jobs and, something important particularly to me, ethics," she said.

In the competition for the seat being vacated by Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan visited her own office to register.

On the Republican side, Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, and eight other candidates have filed. Three third party candidates have also thrown their hats in the ring.

Candidates have until March 30 to register with the Secretary of State's office. The primary election will be held Aug. 3.