While Baseball Players train for the upcoming season, we're seeing the candidates emerge to declare that they are running for office this November.
I'll cover the candidate in Missouri's 8th district first, followed by the candidate in South Carolina's 4th district.
MO-8 is represented by Jo Ann Emerson. Emerson was first elected in 1996 after Bill Emerson died in office. The dstrict covers Southeastern Missouri including Rush Limbaugh's hometown of Cape Girardeau, Rolla, and Poplar Bluff. MO-8 went 64/36 for Bush in 2004. The district does have a few bright spots for Democrats, including New Madrid and Mississippi Counties.
I'll go over SC-4 and the actual candidates under the fold
SC-4 is represented by Bob Inglis. Inglis served in Congress from 1993 to 1999, then he left to run against Ernest Hollings. He returned to replace Jim DeMint (who ran for the Senate in 2004). The district includes Greensville and Spartanburg. SC-04 went 66/34 for Bush in 2004.
Now, on to the Candidates.
First, we go to MO-08
A retired teacher who served a term as president of the Missouri State Teachers Association and two terms on the Public School Retirement System Board of Trustees filed Monday to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson.
Veronica J. Hambacker of Salem, Mo., spent 33 years teaching before retiring from the Viburnum Public Schools three years ago, husband John Hambacker said. She is currently chairwoman of the Dent County Democratic Party, he said.
Veronica Hambacker was an elected member of the retirement board from 1994 to 2002. She was chairwoman of the board from 1998 to 2000.
Emerson, a Cape Girardeau Republican, has represented the 28-county 8th Congressional District since 1996, when she was elected to finish a term for her late husband, U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson.
That's pretty much all the information I know about Hambacker. She filed with the state yesterday. She does appear to have an impressive sounding career history.
Aaand we go to South Carolina
Retired Michelin North America executive William Griffith said Monday he is running for Congress as a Democrat against Republican incumbent Bob Inglis.
Griffith oversaw tire research and development divisions at Michelin's Greenville operations before retiring March 3.
He describes himself as a fiscal conservative and social moderate looking out for the middle class. "And I'm probably a maverick because I'm not a party ideologue," Griffith said.
He believes the escalating national debt, dependance on foreign oil, low graduation rates, rising health care costs and illegal immigration threaten the nation's security.
As he said, he's a maverick. And not one of those fake mavericks either. He probably goes 5 for 6 on his 'concerns' which the average person here.
Granted, the concept of a "Fiscal Conservative" is pretty much a dead title. Especially since the so-called fiscal conservatives are spending the most in history and running up huge debts.
It's a matter if making wise investments which will benefit the nation or making foolish investments which will produce nothing.
There are ways to insure that this country doesn't keep putting up massive deficits.
Now, somebody is going to say that these candidates won't win, but the fact of the matter is that these are candidates who seem pretty legitimate. They have stepped up in uncontested districts and they have compelling stories with differ from the status quo.
In MO-8, Hambacker is a teacher. When it comes to Jo Ann Emerson's story, It's not too noteworthy. Emerson was able to hide from Republicans during the Medicare Part D- vote.
In SC-4, Griffith appears to be a successful businessma. Inglis appears to be somebody who is now under the impression that Congress is better today than it was in 1992. When Inglis ran in 1992, he was against pork and for term limits. Now, he's against term limits and not really standing out to oppose DC Corruption.
So yes. The candidates are emerging. Because people are beginning to realize that we have an excellent shot of making big gains in November.
I'll open up the floor to reactions or News about New Candidates.