Primary primer: 10 candidates vie for 9th District spot

Five Republicans, four Democrats and one Libertarian hope for their party’s nomination for 9th District Representative to the U.S. Congress. Read about the candidates’ experience, qualifications and stands on the issues.

Wheeler to meet with Muleskinners

Charles Wheeler, one of the Democratic Candidates for State Treasurer and former mayor of Kansas City, will meet with the Muleskinners this Friday at Noon at Stamper Commons on the Stephens College campus, in Windsor Lounge.

The public is welcome and encouraged to stop by.  Questions should be directed to Scott Cristal at 573-999-3871.

Protesters have a presence at Obama event

Sen. Barack Obama’s supporters aren’t the only ones who came out Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Student Recreation Center today.

Some people came to make sure their disagreement with the Democratic party’s presumptive nominee’s views was heard.

Chuck Pederson, 55, of Rolla, made sure the rear window of his vehicle, which reads “NOBAMA: Drill here, drill now,” faced the street in a “passive protest.”

Another group held signs against Obama’s support of abortion rights, and still another disagreed with his statements about invading Afghanistan.

Steelman to appear on Glenn Beck tonight

“Missouri Treasurer and Republican candidate for Governor Sarah Steelman will appear on Glenn Beck this evening to discuss her campaign for Governor,” a press release from Steelman’s campaign said.

The appearance will be on CNN Headline News tonight at 6:00pm Central. Last week, Steelman appeared on the Glenn Beck Program, a national radio program, the release said.

“Tonight, Steelman will update viewers on her campaign for Governor including her proposals to crack down on illegal immigration, lower energy and food prices, and bring ethics reform to Jefferson City.”

Obama is in Rolla, and so are we

About 500 people are lined up outside The Missouri University of Science and Technology Student Recreation Center to see Barack Obama speak. The Illinois senator and presumptive Democratic nominee for president is in town on a tour of Missouri to discuss the economy.

The first person in line was Frank Burke Jr., 47, of St. James. He had been there since 5 a.m. “I came to see Obama, get a good seat, take some pictures,” he said. “It’s a person you don’t see every day.”

Vendors selling buttons, T-shirts, and even playing cards showed up, too. Scott Jefferson, 37, of Cleveland, Ohio, has made 60 to 70 stops as he’s followed the Obama campaign while selling merchandise.

What does he like about the candidate?

“I think the fact that he wants to change Washington,” he said, noting that he especially liked Obama’s health care plan.

Keep an eye on this blog and the Missourian’s Web site for more coverage.

Post-Dispatch endorses Gaw and no one else

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch released their endorsement for the Ninth District this week, but declined to endorse any Republican.

Instead, they endorsed Steve Gaw:

His credentials are impeccable: He is a former speaker of the Missouri House who knows how to build coalitions and move legislation. He spent four years on the Missouri Public Service Commission, two of them as chairman, and is intimately familiar with how energy and regulatory issues affect consumers. He has a law degree and a degree in physics and — important in this largely rural district — raises saddle horses and farms in Holts Summit. We disagree with his support for increased offshore oil drilling, but we respect the intellectual rigor he brings to his positions.

See the full endorsement here.

Earlier, the Columbia Daily Tribune endorsed both Blaine Luetkemeyer and Danie Moore for the Republican race and Judy Baker for the Democratic race.