Upcoming election important to district

Don't look now, but in just one month voters in this district will pick a new congressman to replace JoAnn Emerson.

In many respects, this race has remained somewhat under the radar screen. There was ample attention during the controversial committee selection to pick these two candidates. But once that curious process was complete, the race became a dash for funds and endorsements.

Steve Hodges, the Democratic nominee from Mississippi County, will face Jason Smith, the Republican nominee from the Rolla region.

Odds makers would give the edge to Smith because primarily this district has a 30-plus-year record of sending Republicans to Congress. By just about any measure, voters from Cape Girardeau north swing heavily for the GOP.

But Hodges has good name recognition and a voting record that swings conservative, which helps districtwide.

Smith has raised more money and garnered probably more endorsements.

But to discount Hodges is to play the fool.

Having visited with both candidates and listened to their stump speeches, both talk the conservative line. Hodges seems to have his heart in the conversation while Smith seems to give all the right answers from well-used talking points.

The end of the Emerson era will open a new chapter for this congressional district. If elected, I suspect Smith would closely follow the conservative path and undoubtedly walk a more conservative line than Emerson ever did.

But Hodges - with his conservative values - would likely buck the Reid/Pelosi wing of the Democratic party and more closely vote with the sentiments of this district.

There is some irony in the fact that both candidates are trying to "out-conservative" the other, especially given the drift that this current administration is pushing.

Voters have just one month to listen to the candidates and follow their campaigns.

I don't expect any last-minute surprises from either candidates. And, unfortunately, I also believe the June election will see a very small turnout.

But when the smoke clears, it's abundantly important that we put some thought into the person who will represent our interests in an extremely important time in federal policy.

The stakes are higher than you might imagine.