Missouri's 8th Congressional District special election, 2013
The8th Congressional District of Missouri held aspecial election for theU.S. House of Representatives in 2013. The general election date wasJune 4, 2013.[1] There were no special primary elections. Instead, the Democratic and Republican Party Committees chose their nominees.[2] Candidates nominated by the political parties had until March 30, 2013, to file their candidacy with the secretary of state. The special election was held on June 4, 2013.[3]
The election was held to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of RepresentativeJo Ann Emerson (R). Emerson officially resigned on January 22, 2013.[2]
| Candidate Filing Deadline | Special Election |
|---|---|
Candidates
General election
Steve Hodges, state representative[4]
Jason T. Smith, state representative[5][6][7]
a
Bill Slantz, owner of a broadcasting consultation company[8]
Doug Enyart, U.S. Marine and professional forester[9]
Thomas Brown: Write-in candidate[10][11]- Robert George: Write-in candidate[10][11]
- Wayne Byington: Write-in candidate[12]
- Theo Brown Sr.: Write-in candidate[12]
Not selected by party committee
- Mark Richardson
- Sarah Steelman, former treasurer
- Lloyd Smith, former chief of staff under Emerson
- Peter Kinder,Lieutenant Governor
- Eddy Justice
- Todd Richardson
- Kevin Engler
- Clint Tracy
- Scott Lipke
- Wayne Wallingford
- Linda Black, state representative[8]
- Mark Fitchpatrick, a former mayor of Blodgett, Missouri[8]
- Todd Mahn, funeral home director[8]
- Jack Rushin, a chiropractor[8]
Election results
General election
| U.S. House, Missouri District 8 Special General Election, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Jason T. Smith | 67.1% | 42,141 | |
| Democratic | Steve Hodges | 27.4% | 17,207 | |
| Libertarian | Bill Slantz | 1.5% | 968 | |
| Constitution | Doug Enyart | 3.6% | 2,265 | |
| Write-in | Robert George | 0.1% | 75 | |
| Write-in | Thomas W. Brown | 0.1% | 85 | |
| Write-in | Wayne Byington | 0% | 25 | |
| Write-in | Theo Brown Sr. | 0% | 0 | |
| Total Votes | 62,766 | |||
| Source:Missouri Division of Elections "2013 Special Election Results" | ||||
Race background
Emerson resigned from Congress in February 2013 to become President and CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Emerson stated, "I am not leaving Congress because I have lost my heart for service — to the contrary — I see a new way to serve. I did not go seeking this opportunity, but I am excited about the new challenge it offers to find ways to promote strong rural policy." Emerson easily won re-election to the seat in 2012 with roughly 72% of the vote.[2] Republicans were heavily favored to retain control of the seat.[7]
Endorsements
Democratic
On May 14, 2013,Democratic nomineeSteve Hodges, astate Representative, received an endorsement fromGov.Jay Nixon.[13]Hodges has also received endorsements fromAttorney GeneralChris Koster (D),Secretary of StateJason Kander (D) andTreasurerClint Zweifel (D).[13][14] Hodges has received many group endorsements in past campaigns, including those from the National Rifle Association and Missouri Right to Life.[13]
Republican
On May 15, 2013,Republican nomineeJason Smith announced an endorsement by formerAlaska governor and vice presidential candidateSarah Palin.[13]
Smith's campaign also announced endorsements from large business, right-to-life, farming and pro-gun organizations and groups, including the Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Corn Growers Association, the Missouri Cattlemen's Association and Missouri Right to Life.[15] Additionally, endorsements include all of Missouri's currentRepublican members ofCongress, includingAnn Wagner,Blaine Luetkemeyer,Vicky Hartzler,Sam Graves andBilly Long, along with former8th District representativeJo Ann Emerson andRepublicanSen.Roy Blunt,Lt. Gov.Peter Kinder andAuditorTom Schweich.[13][15]
Campaign donors
Jason Smith
Former vice presidential candidateSarah Palin’s Sarah PAC contributed $5,000 on May 14, 2013 toJason Smith.[16]Smith reported raising $200,313 from April 1 to May 15, and has $228,147 cash on hand as of May 15th.[16] Smith has raised $509,919 so far in 2013.
Smith raised $114,083 from individuals.[16] Smith also received $4,500 from nine individuals at the Washington, D.C. lobbying firm of Livingston Group LLC.[16] Besides Sarah PAC, the American Society of Anesthesiologists PAC also gave $5,000, as well as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association PAC. During the period from April 1 to May 15 PACs gave $82,749 toSmith's campaign.
Jason Smith for Congress spent $62,588 on media expenses and another $18,096 on TV expenses, $23,600 on research and $18,833 on payroll.[16]
Steve Hodges
Steve Hodges reported raising $107,728 from April 1 to May 15, 2013.[16] He raised $51,223 from individuals and $32,550 from PACs and other committees.[16] Hodges spent $20,896 on payroll, $24,400 on polling and campaign strategy.[16] Hodges had $142,103 cash on hand as of May 15, 2013, and he had raised $228,501 in 2013.[16]
District history
2012
The 8th Congressional District of Missouri held an election for theU.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. IncumbentJo Ann Emerson won re-election in the district.[17]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jack Rushin | 24.6% | 73,755 | |
| Republican | Jo Ann EmersonIncumbent | 71.9% | 216,083 | |
| Libertarian | Rick Vandeven | 3.5% | 10,553 | |
| Total Votes | 300,391 | |||
| Source:Missouri Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010,Jo Ann Emerson was re-elected to theUnited States House for an eighth term. She defeated Tommy Sowers (D), Larry Bill (Independent), and Rick Vandeven (Libertarian).[18]
| United States House, Missouri General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Jo Ann EmersonIncumbent | 65.6% | 128,499 | |
| Democratic | Tommy Sowers | 28.8% | 56,377 | |
| Independent | Larry Bill | 3.7% | 7,193 | |
| Libertarian | Rick Vandeven | 2% | 3,930 | |
| Total Votes | 195,999 | |||
See also
- United States Congress special elections, 2013
- Missouri's 8th Congressional District
- United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri, 2012
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2012
- BP News: Republican nominee wins Missouri congressional special election
External links
- Missouri's Election Division
- Upcoming Elections
- Election Results
- Missouri Established Political Parties
Footnotes
- ↑The Hill, "Emerson’s resignation sets off free-for-all in Missouri House race," January 22, 2013
- ↑2.02.12.2The Washington Post, "Missouri Rep. Jo Ann Emerson to resign from House," December 3, 2012
- ↑Missouri Secretary of State, "Special Election," accessed February 1, 2013
- ↑Southeast Missourian, "Hodges tapped as Democratic nominee in 8th District," February 17, 2013
- ↑Politico, "Republican wins Missouri special election" accessed June 4, 2013
- ↑Missouri Secretary of State elections division, "Special Election 2013" accessed June 4, 2013
- ↑7.07.1Washington Post, "Republicans nominate Jason Smith for Missouri special election," February 9, 2013
- ↑8.08.18.28.38.4The Daily Dunklin, "Democrat Hodges says he's in for 8th District," February 14, 2013
- ↑Missouri Secretary of State, "Special Election Filings" accessed April 15, 2013
- ↑10.010.1SE Missourian, "Major party 8th District candidates get endorsements from Nixon, Palin" accessed May 21, 2013
- ↑11.011.1Daily Statesman, "8th District candidates collect endorsements for June election" accessed May 21, 2013
- ↑12.012.1Daily Journal, "Candidates seek 8th Congressional District seat" accessed June 2, 2013
- ↑13.013.113.213.313.4SE Missourian, "Major party 8th District candidates get endorsements from Nixon, Palin" accessed May 21, 2013
- ↑Daily Statesman, "8th District candidates collect endorsements for June election" accessed May 21, 2013
- ↑15.015.1Daily Statesman, "8th District candidates collect endorsements for June election" accessed May 21, 2013
- ↑16.016.116.216.316.416.516.616.716.8Roll Call, "Palin Gives $5,000 to Smith in Missouri Special Election" accessed May 28, 2013
- ↑Politico, "2012 Election Map, Missouri," accessed November 7, 2012
- ↑U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
