GCDCC News

Three vying to replace Bob Dixon in 140th District

Mike Penprase • News-Leader • October 12, 2010

Much of the focus in the 140th District state House race is on Republican Lincoln Hough and Democrat Dan Boyts, but Libertarian Teddy Fleck says voter dissatisfaction with the two main parties might give him a push.

Republican Rep. Bob Dixon is leaving the seat because he is term limited and running for the state Senate.

This is the first time Boyts, a Springfield native who operates a landscaping business, has run for elected office.

“I’m upset with the political system, just like everyone else,” he said of his reason for running.

Boyts is engaged in a door-to-door campaign that lacks even that election staple, yard signs.

“I just thought it was a little bit wasteful to put something out that gets thrown away,” he said.

While jobs and the economy are the main issue in the election, Boyts says he differs with Hough when it comes to views on agriculture.

Hough emphasizes his role as a cattle farmer; Boyts, who used to own a small nursery and currently operates a landscaping service, described himself as a small farmer as well.

Hough is in his second election campaign, having unsuccessfully run for Greene County commissioner in 2008. More recently, he served on a Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce panel that advised Greene County on updating its land use plan.

Fleck, who ran as the Libertarian candidate for lieutenant governor, serves on the city’s Traffic Advisory Board.

Generating jobs for Missouri and in the district is his main campaign issue, and one that most voters he’s talked to put at the top of their list of issues, Hough said.

“We’ve got to do what we can to make Springfield as business-friendly an environment as we can,” he said. “That will help turn things around.”

The September campaign spending report showed Hough spent $39,146 compared with Boyts’ $3,295 and less than $500 by Fleck, who wasn’t required to file a spending report.

Hough said he’s keeping his effort simple, talking to as many people as possible by going to local events and functions and going door-to-door — a hard-working campaign will translate to hard work in Jefferson City, he said.

Although working as a trucker has cut into campaign time, Fleck said he believes voters are paying more attention to Libertarian principles.

Fleck, 48, said voters he’s talked to are sympathetic to the party’s less-government stance and angry at Republicans and Democrats.

The issues he’s most interested in are lowering taxes and making government smaller, Fleck said.

“This election, I think it does,” he said when asked if there might be advantages to being the Libertarian candidate.

“People are angry at the ruling parties, the Republicans and Democrats.”