Special Election Voters Repudiate Blunt Policies
Yesterday's special election results are cause for major concern to Governor Matt Blunt and the MO GOP.Â
In a legislative district that President Bush carried by four percentage points just one year ago, Democrat Jane Bogetto bested Republican Moira Byrd 58-42. Byrd defending Governor Blunt and his policies and was rewarded with a dramatic loss.
On the other hand, in the rural 150th district, Republican Jason Smith managed to win by 600 votes. So, isn't that good news for the Republicans you might ask.  Not really, and here's why.
Jason Smith was only able to win by running away from Governor Matt Blunt. Here's a pledge that Smith signed that criticizes Governor Blunt's health care cuts and talks about their devastating impact on the citizens of Crawford and Dent Counties.
So the common theme in both House races was that the winning candidate repudiated Governor Matt Blunt and his policies. That can't bode well for the Republicans long term.
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On to the 93rd!!
First a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Jane, her campaign, and Everyone who helped on her campaign.Â
Jane Bogetto is the first Democrat to hold this seat for 58 YEARS! Not ONLY is this a wake up call to the policies of the Blunt administration, but for many other seats in the legislature as well. State Reps run every 2 years so they are in a constant state of looking over their shoulders and on to the next campaign. This win will have a strong moderating effect on the republicans who have been marching in lock-step to the Blunt administration's plot against Missourians. Self-Preservation is a strong instinct. It's what makes them "representatives" after all.
Term limits also have the effect of replacing experienced Reps with new ones. These new folks are more likely to not have the will to stand up against their own party when they need to. The up side is we (are supposed to )get more responsive leadership. The down side is we are constantly looking for good candidates to fill vacancies. If you think you may be interested in running, Get involved in someone elses campaign - learn the ropes. If you have a Democratic Club in your Ward, Township, County get involved. If you dont have a club form one. You dont need to  In addition to the great efforts of Jane's campaign, Bonhomme Township's Democratic Club has been active and growing over the past year. It's not magic, It does matter. The club played an important role in finding a great candidate like Jane.
We have another special election coming up in February in the 93rd District. Adjacent to the 94th and we have another Outstanding Candidate Genevieve Frank. Genevieve will be running for Jodi Stephanic's seat which was vacated when Matt Blunt appointed her to be the Senior Healthcare Policy Advisor for his adminsitration after sponsoring the bill that removed 87,000 people from the states healthcare rolls. The position pays 90,000 a year - wow she got paid like a dollar a head and I bet she gets free state health plan! Get your warm boots ready for canvassing in February!! Once Gen has filed and formed a committee we will let you know where to go to volunteer, or contribute to her campaign.Â
Get involved, Get Fired Up!!
Karl Unsworth
Bonhomme Township Democratic Committeeman