Jim LePage brings gubernatorial campaign to Kennett

There are three Democrats running for Missouri governor, including incumbent Bob Holden, State Auditor Claire McCaskill, and Jim LePage. Likewise, there are three issues, according to LePage, that separate him from the other two candidates.

LePage paid a visit to Kennett Friday as part of his effort to travel across the state, introducing himself to Missouri voters.

LePage's campaign slogan says, "Democrat for Life; LePage for governor." LePage does not sound like today's typical Democrat, however.

When he talks about three of his primary concerns, he cuts across the grain of most Democratic political candidates. His belief and hope is that there are plenty of Democrats across the state who agree with him and who will vote to elect a Democrat more in line with their views.

LePage said, "I consider myself an alternative to the other two Democrats in three respects. One, I am a pro-life Democrat. Two, the gun control issue."

In The Warrensburg Star Journal, LePage said, "'Half the people in the country own guns and think they have a right' to own and carry them. 'When you support laws that threaten that right, you're going to lose voters.'"

"Three," he said, "gay marriage." I think our leadership is on the wrong side of those issues."

LePage points out that, "Ten years ago the Democrats controlled the legislatures in two-thirds of the country. Now it's less than half. Two years ago for the first time in 50 years the Republicans took charge of the House. Obviously, we're on the wrong side of those issues."

In a written statement issued by LePage he says, "every day more Missourians consider abortion the taking of a human life and that women are looking for other options."

LePage has urged Governor Holden to release funding for the Alternative to Abortion program. Additionally, LePage has pledged more money for that program if elected.

For a long time, according to LePage, the discussion over abortion has been a divisive argument. "We've been arguing over it and neither side has really looked at the facts. I'm saying, let's look at the scientific evidence on life and if that is a human person, and it is, then you have to recognize that it has rights.

"You can tell me you have a choice to whatever you want to wear. You have a choice to what you eat, but you don't have the choice to tell me what to eat or what to wear. And you certainly don't have a choice to take another person's life.

"So if you can come up with some evidence or logical reason that would justify taking the life of a human person, for your convenience or whatever, then I'll listen to you. In the meantime, I hope you'll listen to me."

LePage also supports an amendment to the state constitution regarding marriage. He said, "You have to have a constitutional amendment, otherwise some judge is going to come along and say that Missouri's law means that two people of the same sex can marry.

"In other words to get it out of the hands of some activist judge and put it in the hands of the people, you have to have a constitutional amendment. And that's what I favor and my two opponents oppose it."

LePage is also critical of Governor Holden's decision to place the same-sex marriage issue on the August, 2004 ballot. In a news release by LePage he said, "I think the governor is counting on the typical low turnout in primary elections to escape the eye of the people opposed to same-sex marriage."

"But this is an important issue for our society in general and pro-life voters in particular. I am confident that voters will see through the governor's plan and come out strong."

LePage also expressed his concern regarding the state's financial situation. He said, "We have serious budget and financial problems. I think we're probably at least a billion dollars short of being able to meet our obligations and adequately fund education, and meet the health care and growth in Medicaid costs. And I don't see anything in the mill about how we're going to get that kind of revenue in the next four years under Governor Holden."

LePage is currently a professor of economics at Lincoln University where he has taught for the past 21 years. He is a licensed CPA in Missouri.

He has served as Cole County Auditor for the past 14 years, where he has performed more than 1,200 audits. Under his direction, Cole County has been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Financial Reporting Certificate for the past 14 consecutive years.

LePage is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served in Korea during the Korean conflict. He is a member of the VFW and the American Legion.